Planting up Guestling for future generations to enjoy

AN ongoing planting project is helping to transform areas of Guestling.
Guestling planting groupGuestling planting group
Guestling planting group

The project is the legacy of the Queen’s Jubilee last year.

It has already seen a new hedgerow being planted and local volunteers were out in force again recently planting for the next phase.

Connie Evans, local parish councillor and tree warden, who has been playing a lead role in the project, said: “Having completed the jubilee hedgerow in November 2012 a new project started in March 2013, with a new copse being planted along one side of the playing fields inside the boundary hedge.

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In years to come the copse will provide colour, protection from the prevailing winds and help to reduce the waterlogging in some areas.

“Species planted in the copse include Rowan, Hawthorn, Hazel, Silver Birch, Dogwood, Wild Cherry, Downy Birch, Goat Willow and Osier Willow.

Once again the saplings were provided free of charge by the Woodland Trust and sponsors Biffa, who supplied free canes and protective tubes.

“We arevery grateful for their continued support of our tree and hedge plantingproject.

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“Phase 2 of the new copse was completed last Saturday, 16th November on a bright sunny morning. Residents, members of Guestling Parish Council, St. Laurence Church and Guestling Bowls club formed the volunteer planting group.

It is hoped that another successful application will result in further planting in March 2014.”

Local people have played a key role in the planting project turning out in wellie, armed with spades, sometimes in bad weather conditions.

Connie Evans sees the planting as an important legacy for future generations to enjoy.

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It also create more hedgerow, which has been disappearing at an alarming rate in the English countryside. sufHedgerows suffered a dramatic decline as field sizes increased

The planting has also helped bring the local community together.

Last June residents came together for Field Day to celebrate the Royal Jubilee and held a picnic and tree planting on the playing fields where people made and flew their own kites and took part in communal games.

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