The Tees Forest is part of the North East Community Forests group and aims
to create, transform and manage countryside in and around towns enabling local
communities to enjoy a better quality of life now and in the future.
The group received funding of £1,314 from Latimer Hinks Solicitor's Gold Darlington Champions Fund, which was created to support rural initiatives in and around Darlington. The grant paid for tree seedlings, stakes and rabbit guards, which were planted to celebrate the centenary of the Scouting movement.
Pictured: Roseanne Green of Latimer Hinks, Debbie Scott of The Tees Forest and Melanie Caldwell of County Durham Foundation.
The planting of 2000 trees forms part of Merrybent Community Woodland which
is a new woodland being created on the edge of Darlington to give the local
community access to the countryside. Anne Elliot, partner at Latimer Hinks
said:
"The new woodland will not only benefit the area aesthetically
but will also hopefully encourage the local community to participate in outdoor
activities."
The area planted will become The Scouts Wood a distinct part of the site allowing
young people to feel proud and take ownership of the area. Some of the people
who took part in the tree planting commented:
'We learnt a lot about the different types of trees and why it
is so important to maintain the balance in nature with re-planting. Thank
you.'
'I would like to thank you very much for an extremely enjoyable afternoon
which all the children got a great deal out of.'