Worcester school plants in Lansdowne Park to aid community

Pupils at Bishop Perowne C of E College planted trees as part of Cllr Karen Lewing's and Bob Whitelaw, the chair of the Arboretum Residents Association, Branch Out Campaign.

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The campaign, which received funding from the Tree Council, aims to provide new woodland and fruit trees in Lansdowne Park.

Cllr Lewing said: "I was motivated to plant more trees in the park when I saw small children playing and a mum with sunburn and realized that the play area had no shade.

"I also wanted the park to have more interest – I know how important our green spaces are to local residents."

Clare Morris, the Assistant Head Teacher, said: “Twelve year 7 pupils walked down from the school buzzing with excitement.

"They really enjoyed being outside in the fresh air and getting stuck into digging holes and planting the fruit trees.

"Some of the trees now have names and the pupils have committed to keeping an eye on them."

The new trees are hoped to cover a huge gap in existing cover after some of the mature trees in the area were suffering from ash dieback.

The two days were supported by the city council’s community officers, the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust and the Duckworth Trust, which loaned gloves and spades. 

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Included in the scheme were new fruit trees to add to the canal corridor as part of the Canal and River Trust’s project to plant the world’s largest community orchard along the Worcester and Birmingham canal.

The trees are also contributing to the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative to give people the opportunity to plant trees in memory of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Mr Whitelaw said: "It was a frosty start, so we were not sure how many people would brave the cold but were so impressed with the wide support from the Arboretum community."