SCHOOL pupils in Hamsterley have been planting scores of trees as part of a scheme to create a woodland and wildflower area for their village.
The idea was formed by resident Neil Malkin after he notice last year that the Woodland Trust was giving away trees to community groups as part of a national planting campaign. Mr Malkin said: “We wanted to involve the parish council and the school. The school has been brilliant and they have been on board from the start. The deputy headteacher, Damian Hassan, is a really keen individual. In fact, everyone in the school is keen.”
After getting approval to use a parish council owned plot adjacent to the village tennis courts, Mr Malkin was successful in applying for 145 trees from the trust, which arrived in the village last week.
The field was then cut back in time for pupils and staff from the school, residents and members of the parish council to plant the saplings on Tuesday, March 22.
Mr Malkin said: “This is practical hands-on experience for the schoolchildren.”
The trees came in two sections, including a copse package of silver birch, rowan and wild cherry, and a wildlife package of hawthorn, black thorn, common oak and hazel. Mr Malkin said the area was being developed in consultation with Durham County Council’s woodland creation officer and would later include footpaths and benches so that it can be enjoyed by people as well as wildlife. He added: “It creates something nice for everyone. People can take ownership of it, the school can take ownership of it, and the community can enjoy it.”
An ecological survey will be carried out before an application is made for more trees, Mr Malkin added.
