Members of the New Sarum WI and the Parish Environment Action Group were joined by the parish chair, Nick Baker and parish clerk Trudi Deane of Laverstock & Ford Parish Council to plant 20 metres of hedging at Norman Drive Country Park, Old Sarum on Tuesday, March 21.

Whips of hazel, blackthorn, crab apple, elder, dog rose and rowan were planted in gaps along the boundary hedge of the country park. Once mature will these will provide produce that residents can pick like sloes, hazelnuts and elderflowers

Sue Luther, group coordinator of New Sarum WI said: “The WI has a proud history of taking action to protect the environment and since Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II had a long association with the WI, we were delighted to be invited by the Parish Council to take part in this event.

“We look forward to seeing the results in the years to come.”

More than 135 saplings have now been planted in the area as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy Award. They arrived in November, from the Woodland Trust. Some have been planted as trees, while some will be used as hedging, like the saplings planted at Norman Drive recently.

Other areas already planted include Castle Hill Country Park, the Green at Hartley Way and Bishopdown Farm.

Parish Council chair, Nick Baker, said: “Laverstock and Ford Parish Council is investing in its community spaces and has been actively working in partnership with The Land Trust, Wiltshire Wildlife and The Devenish Bradshaw Trust to ensure that community spaces such as the Laverstock Water Meadows and the Longhedge Community Garden, provide access to nature and wildlife for all residents and visitors to the parish.

“Trees from the Queens Green Canopy Award have already been planted at the Castle Hill Country Park, and we will be planting the remainder at Hartley Green in Bishopdown Farm.

“This is a great start for the Parish Environmental Action group which made the application to be a part of this award, and will ensure a lasting legacy of native trees that will add to the green canopy in our growing parish.

“We also hope that more residents will get involved in the work of the Parish Environmental Action group.”

Hannah Bosence, countryside and greenspace officer (SW) for the Land Trust, said: “Well placed trees are hugely important. Not only do they look nice and support wildlife, but also help cool the ground. In built up areas they have been known to make a difference of 12°C to the ground surface temperature which given the heat of last summer, would be very welcome.”

Laverstock & Ford Parish Council received notification last September that its application for trees to plant at Old Sarum and Bishopdown Farm through the Queens Green Canopy Grant had been successful.

The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) is a unique tree planting initiative that was created to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022.

People from across the United Kingdom were invited to ‘Plant a Tree for the Jubilee’. With a focus on planting sustainably, the QGC encourages planting of trees to create a legacy in honour of The Queen’s leadership of the Nation, which will benefit future generations.

As well as inviting the planting of new trees, The Queen’s Green Canopy will dedicate a network of 70 Ancient Woodlands across the United Kingdom and identify 70 Ancient Trees to celebrate Her Majesty’s 70 years of service.