ST CHRISTOPHER'S GO NUTS FOR OAKS
Written by Jules Serkin (pupil at St Christopher's)
Fourteen lucky pupils from St. Christopher's School, in Canterbury had a happy morning planting their baby oak trees, as guests of The Woodland Trust at The Victory Wood, in Blean. The children along with their teacher Mrs Judi Meaden, had originally planted acorns in autumn of 2005, and now were pleased to see that their planting had produced such strong sapling oaks.
Judi Meaden said, 'Some of the baby oaks did get eaten by mice, but we have managed to have plenty to plant today'.
Janet Watt, an Environmental Consultant, who specialises in education in the community, and her team, Helen Parr, and Viv Gaylor involved the children in animated games, history, as well as the planting of the oak trees.
Mrs Judi Meaden added, 'They really engaged the children, teaching them about how Victory Wood got it's name from the battle of 1805, with Admiral Lord Nelson, it was a fantastic morning for us all, and we hope to be returning in March 2007 to continue the project.'
Armed with mini spades, gloves and Woodland Trust hats, the delighted children then got stuck in to the mud, and dug the holes for the trees. Digging was a strenuous activity, but the St. Christopher's children rose to the challenge.
Thomas Walker, age 8, said, 'I am definitely going to bring my Mum and Dad here at the weekend, they would love it. I especially liked the running around relay races at the end, when we pretended to be squirrels and Jay-birds collecting acorns.'
Esther Thomas, age 8, agreed, 'We liked being in the big tent and making the battle ships, as well as the planting.'
Thomas O'Shea, age 8, asked the Woodland Trust team 'How many trees have you planted so far?'
Janet answered, 'You are all part of something really important, so far we have planted 40,000 trees, and we aim to plant 100,000 trees in Victory Wood. Tree For All are going even more wild and plan to plant one tree for every child in this country over the next five years,that is twelve million trees!'
