RESIDENTS and councillors in Bromsgrove showed their ‘love for the planet’ ahead of Valentine’s Day by planting out trees to combat climate change.
The community tree planting took place over the weekend at Lickey End Recreation Ground where generous local volunteers lay the foundations for a new mini orchard of pear and apple trees.
The event was organised by councillors Rob Hunter and Josh Robinson and was overseen by a professional tree specialist.
The new trees will help to improve woodland habitat links as well as making the area look more attractive.
Volunteers also helped reseed a recently introduced wild flower meadow, ready for the spring.
The tree planting project was part of a wider programme of work to improve the environment at the popular local park on Alcester Road in Lickey End.
This latest get-together followed the last year’s establishing of a new wildflower meadow and another volunteering day dedicated to reintroducing native water plants to the Spadesbourne Brook.
Invasive Himalayan Balsam had previously caused a lot of damage but recent improvements have helped restore biodiversity at the brook, known to be a habitat for endangered water voles.
Coun Hunter said: “It really was fantastic to see so much support from the local community for this.
“I’d like to say a huge thank you to local residents for volunteering their time and to council officers for helping us get the day set up.”
Coun Robison added: “It just goes to show what we can do when we all come together, the recreation ground really has come on a long way recently and its wonderful to see.”
Clearing out the Himalayan Balsam and improving the environment has also helped reduce the risk of flooding.
In previous years the Alcester Road has had to be closed after the brook silted up and burst its banks.
