Revenge for local heroes!
The creation of Revenge Wood in North Yorkshire over the weekend was particularly fitting - the captain of HMS Revenge, and many of his crew, came from just down the road in Whitby!
At Dawnay Estates, Wykeham, near Scarborough, people braved the cold on Saturday (November 19) to begin the task of planting 10 acres of arable land to create Revenge Wood.
It was all in aid of the Woodland Trust’s Trafalgar Woods project. To mark the bicentenary of the Battle of Trafalgar, the Trust, the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity, is creating 33 woods – one for each of the ships in Nelson’s fleet. The project aims to recognise the important role timber played in our maritime history and to honour the 92 North Yorkshire sailors who fought, including the captain of HMS Revenge, Robert Moorsom, who heralded from Airy Hill, Whitby.
Revenge Wood has been planted on a site at Dawnay Estates, bounded by the A170 Scarborough to Pickering road along the southern boundary. Planted with native broadleaved trees, the new wood will be open for everyone to roam and enjoy.
Sara Lyons of the Woodland Trust said: “Thank you to everyone who turned out to help us plant Revenge Wood; we hope they watch its development with interest. With around 120 people helping, and trees having already been planted earlier in the week by local school children, we have made a great start in the creation of this new wood which is not only great for the environment, but for locals too who are most welcome to visit.”
In addition to local people and members of the Army Cadet Force, the Woodland Trust were joined by Mayor and Mayoress of the Borough of Scarborough, Cllr Derek Bastiman and his wife Lynn who planted a number of oak trees at the site. A descendant of Robert Moorsom was also present to plant some trees ensuring the link between the family and the wood is maintained.
The Trust’s Trafalgar Woods Project is part of the charity’s Tree For All initiative which will see one million children plant 12 million trees over the next five years in the hope of engaging younger generations with nature.
For media enquiries contact:
The Woodland Trust Press Office on 01476 581121, email: media@woodland-trust.org.uk
The Woodland Trust: The Woodland Trust is the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity. It has 300,000 members and supporters. The Trust has four key aims: i) No further loss of ancient woodland; ii) Restoring and improving the biodiversity of woods; iii) Increasing new native woodland; iv) Increasing people’s understanding and enjoyment of woodland.
Established in 1972, the Woodland Trust now has over 1,000 sites in its care covering approximately 20,000 hectares (50,000 acres). Access to its sites is free. Further news can be found at www.woodland-trust.org.uk
Dawnay Estates: Dawnay Estates is a 8900 Hectare Country Estate, with 370 Ha of mixed forestry. The Estate is at the fore-front of farming conservation practice and was an early supporter of the Countryside Stewardship Scheme. The estate woodland is managed to provide not only quality timber but to provide habitat for wildlife. Further details can be found at www.dawnay.co.uk
For media enquiries please contact m.f.noble@dawnay.co.uk or telephone 01723 866600
