MP helps put the Oak back in England

12 March 2009

Open invitation to plant the first trees of new community woodland.

For the first time, the Woodland Trust (the UK's leading woodland conservation charity) is opening the door to its new site near Elmstead Market to everyone in the local community. The Hon. Bernard Jenkin MP, Conservative member for North Essex, will be marking the occasion this Saturday by helping to plant the first of thousands of native tree and hedgerow species destined for the area.

The Trust announced earlier this year it had completed the purchase of 42 hectares (105 acres) just three miles outside Colchester, and is now rallying local people to come along and see the new woodland take shape (if you wish to plant trees, please bring a spade if you can and wear wellies; under 16s must be accompanied by an adult).

"People locally have been incredibly generous in helping us purchase this site, and now it's their chance to get involved in planting their forest," said Trust regional development officer, John Brown.

"We want everyone to enjoy themselves on Saturday and it doesn't matter whether you plant one sapling or ten – just come along, bring the family and enjoy the fresh air and the view. Access to all Trust sites is free and it's a great way to entertain the children for an hour or so."

"This is just the start of our plans to involve the community here", he added, "and we are looking forward to working with schools and holding special talks, walks and woodland discovery days for everyone in the area."

If you want to see how Elmstead will look in the future Click here

About 60,000 British native broadleaved trees such as oak, ash, birch and hawthorn are planned for the site over the next five years, of which a massive 32,000 will be planted by the end of March as part of the Trust's contribution to Essex County Council's 'Essex Works' pledge to plant 250,000 new trees across the county over the winter of 2008/09.

There is a fragment of precious ancient woodland at Elmstead which in spring yields a spectacular carpet of bluebells. Ancient woodland, the UK's equivalent of rainforest, has existed for at least 400 years and is home to more threatened species than any other habitat in the UK.

By planting new trees on the arable land around it, the Trust aims to create woodland ‘corridors' that are critical for the survival of native British wildlife, including water voles, and other rare and threatened mammals, birds, butterflies, insects and flowers, enabling them to spread into neighbouring habitats.

The Trust still needs to raise £300,000 to pay for the Elmstead project. Support has already been received towards the purchase through grants from Essex Environmental Trust, Biffaward and Essex County Council.

Anyone wanting to contribute to the campaign or make a pledge can do so through the project's website www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/Elmstead or by calling John Brown directly on 01933 681295 or email johnbrown@woodlandtrust.org.uk.

Messages of support:

Councillor Tracey Chapman, Essex County Council cabinet member for Environment and Waste and responsible for delivering the tree pledge, said: "We are really excited to be working with the Woodland Trust on the Elmstead Market project, as part of our initiative to plant 250,000 new trees in Essex."

George Courtauld, chairman of Essex Environment Trust said: "We are delighted to contribute to the creation of this magnificent new woodland which will make such a marked impact on the appearance of the countryside in this part of Essex. Such a significant area of indigenous trees will be a wonderful asset for the general public and ecology alike."

Gillian French, Biffaward Programme Manager, said: "Biffaward is delighted to support this project. We recognise that creating new woodland and engaging the local community with their surrounding landscapes is integral to securing the future survival of existing ancient woodland habitats."

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