Hundreds to plant a piece of history
Youngsters are leading five days of schools’ tree planting before a special weekend of events at Victory Wood in Kent.
They are part of the Woodland Trust’s Trafalgar Woods project to create 33 new woods to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar, each of the ships in Admiral Nelson’s victorious fleet and the thousands of British seamen who fought with him.
Between November 14 and 18, hundreds of schoolchildren will be planting native broadleaf tree saplings at the Trafalgar Woods’ 141-hectare (350-acre) flagship site at Lamberhurst Farm, near Dargate, Canterbury. The schools’ events will be followed by a special ceremonial tree planting on November 19, led by Keith Ferrin, Trust supporter and Kent County Council cabinet member for environment, highways and waste. He will plant a tree at 10.45am to formally launch two days of community planting at Victory Wood.
Trust regional development officer Christine Punter, said the community planting days were open to all and urged as many people as possible to come along.
She added: “They will help create a lasting tribute to the thousands of seamen who died defending our country. As Victory Wood becomes established, it will create a natural link between Kent’s nationally-renowned Blean Woods complex, which was part designated as a national nature reserve in 2001.
“We’ve already had enormous support from thousands of people, the local community and local authorities. The Trust simply could not have got this project off the ground without the backing of all our supporters like Kent County Council.”
Victory Wood is already home to series of dramatic eye-catching sculptures and an inventive living interpretation that leads visitors through a re-creation of the Battle of Trafalgar. The site sits on a hill and has a panorama of breath-taking views overlooking the Kent coast, River Medway and Isle of Sheppey.
Community tree planting gets underway from 10.45am and runs until 3pm on November 19 and 20. All are welcome but please wear suitable tree planting clothing and bring a spade where possible. Under-16s must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times.
Our Trafalgar Woods' project is part of Tree For All. For more got to www.treeforall.org.uk
The Society for Nautical Research conceived the idea of Trafalgar Woods and is a lead partner in delivering the project. For more go to www.snr.org
Kent County Council: For more details contact marketing and communications officer Kate Phillips on 01622 221560, or visit website http://www.kent.gov.uk/
