Making Rossendale a Leafier Place

Article on AboutMyArea today:

Making Rossendale a Leafier Place

Published: 17th November 2011 15:11

Rossendale will be a leafier place next summer thanks to the efforts of Civic Pride. On Sunday 13 November, over 500 trees were planted as screening near the derelict retail park along the A682 dual carriageway on the way into Rawtenstall.

Chris Blomerley, Chair of Civic Pride, said, "There was a fantastic turn out of Civic Pride volunteers, and we also welcomed BRGS Duke of Edinburgh students and staff, and members of Incredible Edible Rossendale.

Jake Berry presents Civic Pride with the 'Big Society' Award at last
Sunday's tree planting session

Officially, by Woodland Trust rules it is a Queen's Jubilee Woods but for those of us who turned out for the planting, we will always remember that it was Remembrance Sunday. With every tree we planted we couldn't help but think of all those young men and women who have died or been injured in wars.  I would also like to thank those people who responded to our appeal in Rossendale Free Press and donated trees."
The group planted 100 each of rowan, silver birch, dogwood and hawthorn as well as 50 Scots pine, 40 cherry trees and 15 large laurels.
Rossendale Civic Pride successfully bid for a pack of 421 trees from the Woodland Trust - 1 of 1000 packs that were distributed nationally. This pack is part of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee planting initiative to increase the amount of woodland throughout the UK.
One very special tree - a ‘Jubilee oak' sapling from the Royal Estates - will be planted in a special ceremony somewhere in a prominent location early next year.
Chris commented, "The trees will provide ‘all year round colour' with flowers in the spring and berries in the autumn, and will form a wonderful gateway into Rossendale from the motorway. It just goes to show what a difference a group of like minded people can make."
At last Sunday's tree planting session, Jake Berry presented Civic Pride with a 'Big Society' Award, which puts them in the running to win £200 at the end of the year if they are chosen as the overall winner.  Speaking about the award, Jake said: "I am very pleased that Civic Pride have been nominated for the award. I was given a tour of the Valley in August to see all the great work that Civic Pride volunteers have been doing and it was wonderful to be greeted by clean public areas and the beautiful flowers that they have planted. There have been noticeable improvements to Rossendale due to their efforts and I am pleased that they have been recognised by the local community."