Volunteers in Edale create 100th new woodland

An Edale cottage became the 100^th site to benefit from a Woodland Trust scheme after volunteers planted 1000 trees in its grounds.

Stephen Searle, 59, a doctor, and his occupational therapist wife Joy, 58, got involved in the Trust’s MOREwoods scheme by planting the trees in the field behind their cottage on Hope Road.

The Trust provided the trees and the equipment needed to plant them so that the Searles could organise planting weekends from the 13^th to the 21^st of February.

They were aided over the two weekends by keen volunteers who planted a mixture of ash, oak, rowan, birch, alder, willow and guelder rose trees.

'Serendipity'

Stephen said that finding the scheme was “serendipity”.

“We were interested in trees and in what we can do locally to help. Even 19 years ago we toyed with the idea of planting Christmas trees. Then we stumbled across the Woodland Trust website” he said.

"By planting these trees we are leaving something behind for future generations."

Both he and Joy are members of Sustainable Edale: a group which encourages local people to lead a more environmentally friendly life. The pair have even installed a wind turbine on their property to generate their own energy.

Other members of Sustainable Edale volunteered during the project, whilst the couple’s son, Tom Searle, 21, brought six friends to help from Cambridge University, where he studies Natural Sciences.

Tom said: “I know it sounds a little clichéd now but it’s interesting from a legacy point of view. By planting these trees we are leaving something behind for future generations.”

Benefits for wildlife

"Trees have important environmental benefits and provide shade and shelter for wildlife.”

Debbie Nicholls, PR Assistant for the Woodland Creation Team, was keen to point out the benefits of the scheme for wildlife.

She said: “In years gone by there were far more trees than there are now. Nature is finding it harder to live. Trees have important environmental benefits and provide shade and shelter for wildlife.”

MOREwoods aims to create 750 acres of new woodland across the UK over an estimated 220 sites.

The scheme is available to UK landowners with a minimum of one hectare (2.5 acres). Application details are available via the MOREwoods website.