Volunteers from the local community took up the challenge of planting oak and fruit trees in the heart of Bridgetown.

 

LiveWest, the South West’s largest housing association have provided land for planting a mix of fruit and oak trees working alongside local groups ‘Trees for Totnes’, ‘Bridgetown Alive’ and ‘Incredible Edible’.

 

During the past months of lockdown, many people engaged with nature but for those without access to green spaces, communal garden areas and shared green spaces have been a blessing.

 

Wendy Stayte from Trees for Totnes said: “It is great to see local residents take part in a volunteer tree-planting days co-organised by Incredible Edible, Trees for Totnes and LiveWest. We hope, now that there is greater awareness of the need for more trees in our changing climate, that some residents will continue to care for the trees near where they live’.”

 

Incredible Edible has been planting fruit and nut trees throughout Totnes since 2007 and currently runs three public sites where veg and herbs are grown for anyone to share.

 

LiveWest’s tree stock has risen from 28,000 in 2018 to over 36,000, supporting its environmental strategy to enhance its green spaces and improve its environmental footprint.

 

Charlotte Holdsworth, Community Connector at LiveWest said “It’s an exciting moment, it was always clear that strong community support would see us through. With trees going in, it’s truly the start of something.

 

“The green areas are really important to residents, allowing them to socialise outside and enjoy the fresh air.

 

“Our customers’ wellbeing is important to us. Planting trees is an opportunity for our volunteers to support them as part of our Neighbourhoods in Focus project.”