EIGHTY-five new trees and shrubs have been planted on a steep bank in Addingham, by Bradford Council’s Trees and Woodlands Team and volunteers from Addingham Civic Society’s Environment Group.
The planting was done on the bank above the skateboard park at Addingham Parish Council’s Memorial Recreation Ground and care was taken to leave space at the eastern end of the slope, which is a popular sledging spot for local children.
Addingham Environment Group has been working with the Parish Council to make space for wildlife in this popular open space. The mixture of native species chosen will provide high quality foraging for pollinators and create good habitat for birds and other wildlife in the centre of the village.
Cllr Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s Portfolio Holder for Healthy People and Places, said: “We are fortunate that so many community groups and parish councils in our district actively support our goal of planting more trees. It’s only through the hard work and commitment of volunteers that we can achieve this. I hope these new trees will can be enjoyed by everyone – people and wildlife alike for years to come.”
Rick Battarbee, AEG coordinator, said: “It was a relief that the snow and ice thawed sufficiently to allow us to lift the trees which had been heeled in at our allotment and to finish the planting as planned. We organised a seven-hour rota to make sure our volunteers were socially distanced. Elsewhere in the parish we have been removing redundant tree guards, but on this site there is a large rabbit population, so the saplings do need protection.
“We are committed to reducing our carbon emissions so we are pleased to be part of Bradford Council’s tree planting initiative. This is one of several tree planting projects we are involved with in and around Addingham, aiming to sequester carbon, helping to control flooding and at the same time providing habitat for wildlife.”
Addingham Parish Councillor Wes Wilcox said “We have been pleased to work together with the village Environment Group and with Bradford Council on this project which enhances the biodiversity of our most popular green space right in the middle of the village. We especially want to thank all the volunteers who continue to make projects like this such a success.”
Tree planting is one of a number of actions Bradford Council is taking to tackle climate change and reduce carbon emissions.
