The first 2,000 trees are now in the ground marking the beginning of the ‘West Field Wood’ in Stawley, thanks to the sterling efforts of 45 volunteers.

A mixture of local people, friends and family and Protect Earth volunteers have now planted the lower half of the field with a mixture of native English broadleaf including oak, aspen, hornbeam, silver birch, black poplar, small leaf lime, hazel, holly and field maple.

With expert guidance from Protect Earth and delicious soup and cakes provided by our neighbour Anna-Lisa, morale remained high despite the rainy weather on Friday. Then today the weather gods smiled on us and apart from one brief shower we completed a day ahead of schedule under sunny skies.

Many thanks to all the people who have helped make this happen. We will be maintaining these 2,000 trees and planning the planting of the remaining 3,000 trees for next winter.

Watch this space!