Plymouth u3a Plant 500 Trees

Volunteers from Plymouth u3a recently planted 500 trees and were featured in BBC Spotlight.

 

Volunteers from Plymouth u3a planted over 500 trees on National Trust land in Plymbridge Woods on the outskirts of the city.  Plymouth u3a members wanted to create a lasting legacy to mark the 40th anniversary of u3a’s founding. 

 

Recently, 23 Plymouth u3a members brought their spades and shovels and met up with National Trust area ranger Chris Acraman and his team, who guided the volunteers to the planting area. Chris explained that the whips (young trees) were a mix of different varieties suitable for wet woodland, including alder, aspen, silver birch, buckthorn, and willow. As they grow, the area will develop into scrubland that will be a perfect habitat for ground-nesting birds.

 

Plymouth u3a chairman Marilyn, a self-confessed “pots and window boxes sort of person”, said the idea of tree-planting had been generated in response to an initiative by the national organization as part of its 40th anniversary celebrations. “We saw it as a way of making a positive contribution to the local ecology,” she said. Plymouth u3a, with around 800 members, is the largest in the South West, but new recruits are always given a warm welcome. With an eclectic mix of some 80 subject groups from Ancient History to Walking Groups there should be something for everyone. There are even no fewer than 5 separate wine appreciation groups! Full details can be found at: www.plymouthu3a.org.uk.

 

BBC Spotlight, the region’s news and magazine outlet sent their reporter John Henderson to cover the event and BBC Radio Devon provided regular updates on their news bulletins. A press release was sent to all the local written media together with images taken on the day.