When you’re based in the middle of Sherwood Forest, you’d think there was no need to plant any more trees!
But Nottinghamshire construction company, Woodhead Group, is adding to the tree population across the East Midlands, as it plants more than 40 trees in every county it is currently working in throughout the region.
First initiated in 1975, National Tree Week, organised by The Tree Council, is the UK’s largest tree celebration, annually launching the start of the winter tree planting season. Taking place this year from Saturday 24th November till Sunday 2nd December, the event will see community groups, schools and businesses across the country, finding a spot to plant a new tree.
Woodhead will begin at Sir Francis Hill Primary School in Lincoln, where the team will join pupils and staff to plant 18 trees across their grounds. The school has been awarded funding from the Orchard Windfall Fund (Tree Council) to carry out the project.
Kerri Grocock, Health, Safety and Environment Manager for Woodhead Group, said: “We have a firm belief in the importance of supporting the natural world around us. Working in the heart of Sherwood Forest we’re spoilt with the amount of trees and wildlife we see every day, and we always aim to make sure trees form a part of the landscaping work we do on any project.”
The trees being planted include a variety of apple, pear and quince of fruit trees and will form a part of the school grounds for future generations of pupils, parents and teachers. In addition to the existing Gardening Club, the current Year 6 students will be participating in planting the trees to leave their mark before they go to secondary education next year.
Woodhead will also be planting over 20 trees at its very own Rufford Pastures development in Edwinstowe, North Nottinghamshire. These are the first homes Woodhead has built for sale in twenty years, and a number of residents have already moved in.
A further seven trees will be planted over the week at the New Bolsover Model village in Derbyshire and on the site of a new council housing development in Coalville.
During Tree Week Woodhead will dedicate an entire day to becoming a ‘paperless’ business. Printing will be banned for the day, in order to save paper and show further dedication to supporting the environment.
Kerri added: “We see Tree Week as an opportunity not just to plant some more trees, but to educate people about the importance of taking care of our environment and being as ‘green’ as we can be in our day to day lives.”
During the week, Woodhead will be raising money for Age UK Nottinghamshire, as part of a raffle, with a grand prize of a trip out to the Go Ape adventure experience in Sherwood Forest.