Green-fingered kids enjoy tree-mendous park planting project

environment by getting involved in a special planting project.

Pupils from Annesley Primary School and Kirkby Woodhouse Primary School have been working hard on eco projects at Acacia Community Park in Annesley.

Earlier this month, children from Annesley Primary School planted approximately 650 hedge plants native to Nottinghamshire thanks to a national tree-planting project.

Pupils from the school council at Kirkby Woodhouse Primary council planted nine trees at the same site on Wednesday March 14.

The planting event was made possible by a £250 funding boost from the Greenwood Community tree-planting grant scheme 2017/18, with £850 in funding from section 106 developer contributions from Ashfield District Council.

Pupils at both sessions were assisted by local volunteers and the Kirkby Area Team from the waste and environment section at Ashfield District Council.

The Greenwood Community Forest, one of 12 community forest initiatives in England, helped the schools to plan planting schemes and thanks to Defra funding through the Trees for Learning project, helped plant the hedgerow with local school children.

The Greenwood team made the whole process easy by giving advice as well as planning the planting scheme, providing tools and materials and advising on long-term care.

Following the planting days, the Greenwood team will revisit the schools to provide an education workshop based on the importance of trees to our urban areas.

Janet Lander, a teacher from Annesley Primary School, said: “The children really enjoyed the planting activity and were fascinated when they realised that a hedge could begin with such small trees.

“Many of them use the park regularly and are looking forward to watching ‘their hedge’ grow in the future.

“All of us at Annesley Primary School were delighted to be invited to join in this event and believe that this provided a purposeful ‘real life’ experience for the children.”

Rachel Jones, deputy head at Kirkby Woodhouse Primary said: “Our school council was delighted to be asked to support this local event.

“The trees they helped plant will be of great benefit to the site and to the community.

“As a school, we always see the importance of working with our community and supporting events close to 
home.”

Nic Wort, project officer for Greenwood, said: “It has been a pleasure to work with the schools.”