Local Pupils help to create a "Tree" Mendous Difference at Gleadless Valley

Pupils from Bankwood and Valley Park Primary Schools, who entered a competition to paint a tree, are hoping to make a ‘tree’ mendous difference to their local environment. The pupils will be joining forces with Sheffield Homes contractor partner Henry Boot, representatives from Gleadless Valley Tenants and Residents Association, and Community Foresters to help plant young trees at Blackstock Road on 22 November.

 

Claire Cousins, Customer Care Manager from Henry Boot, who are improving homes in the Gleadless area through the Sheffield Homes Decent Homes programme explains “As well as improving local homes, we also think it’s important to support the local community. Each school will receive £100, which they are going to use to improve to own school gardens. We hope that the competition will encourage local children to take care of one of Gleadless’s most precious resources, its trees.” 

 

Terry Wright, Chair of Gleadless Valley TARA continues: “Trees not only help to make Gleadless more attractive, but also a healthier place to live and it’s great to see local children getting involved in planting trees for future generations.”

 

The tree planting will help to kick off National Tree Week in Sheffield, which runs from the 22 November to 3 December.  National Tree Week is organised by the Tree Council to mark the start of the tree planting season, and a nationwide celebration of trees and woods.

 

The trees to be planted are a mixture of Medlar, Pride of India and Rowan. Since the start of the planting season in October 11 trees have already been planted and 14 more will be planted over the next few months. The tree planting is part of an ongoing commitment by Sheffield Homes to brighten up the Gleadless area and to manage the tree population responsibly.  The scheme is run in conjunction with Sheffield City Council’s Trees & Woodland’s Department Community Forestry Project. 

 

Sheffield City Council Community Forester, Jez Platts says “The Community Forestry Project aims to improve and enhance the environment of Sheffield for the benefit of both present and future Sheffield Homes tenants. It is designed to involve local residents, schools and community groups through all the planning and planting stages.  The project will contribute towards creating a healthier, more attractive and economically viable area”.