Hundreds of trees to be planted in first phase of Clitheroe Rotary Woods project

Prior to lockdown, around 250 trees were planned to be planted between November 30th and December 6th, with the intention that this modest beginning is just the first of further woods and possible a community orchard in Clitheroe and the Ribble Valley in the future.

"We like to think ourselves as People of Action and with the ever-increasing concern over our environment and how it is affecting the climate, decided to establish a project team within Clitheroe Rotary to start establishing trees," said Andy Belcham, who chairs the group.

"Planting up our first Rotary Wood during National Tree Week is a good way to draw attention to this important project and its hoped that this will be the first of many Woods

in and around Clitheroe. We have our next delivery of trees on order for Spring 2021 and are already negotiating our next sites.

"Three potential sites are currently under discussion for the National Tree Week project with the group coordinating the activities through a Clitheroe Rotary Woods Facebook

group. Not only does the project involve the planting of trees, but maintenance and development is key with a view to learning how we best establish further woods and orchards in the future. The group is already engaging with members of the local community and schools and collaborate with other organisations to grow the project."

He added: "We all need to do our bit to reduce and offset our carbon footprint. And increasing the number of trees planted in and around our town and increasing our existing woodlands is going to be a great benefit for our community, air quality, water quality and wildlife."

Anyone who would like to join as People of Action or are interested to get involved, should contact [email protected].