Hundreds of trees to be planted at Kettering's Wicksteed Park

Volunteers will plant hundreds of trees at Wicksteed Park in Kettering tomorrow (Saturday)

The popular park, off Barton Road, was approached by the volunteer-led Kettering Eco Group as part of a national Woodland Trust carbon reduction initiative.

Up to 400 people are due at the park to plant trees such as hawthorn, rowan, blackthorn, silver birch, hazel, common oak, wild cherry, field maple, crab apple, dog rose, elder and grey willow.

Tracey Clarke, Wicksteed Park’s community link manager, said: “This is a great initiative which we are delighted to support.

“The group has had a delivery of trees suitable for the park’s wider landscape, habitats and for harvest and they will be planting in a designated area, with people having different time slots so that it doesn’t get too crowded.”

Kettering Eco Group was set up in July 2019. It is a group of Kettering-based volunteers passionate about promoting sustainable living locally through renewables, zero-carbon energy, recycling schemes, green transport, eco-friendly shops, biodegradable products and environmentally friendly lifestyles in fun and engaging ways.

A spokesman said: “The Woodland Trust scheme is providing hundreds of thousands of free trees for schools and communities to make sure that everybody In the UK has the chance to plant a tree.

“This has been made possible by generous funding from the Woodland Trust’s lead partners, Sainsbury’s, players of the People’s Postcode Lottery, and Joules.

“The Woodland Trust is passionate about getting communities together to enjoy and value their natural surroundings, to learn more about woods and wildlife, and leave a lasting legacy for future generations to enjoy.

“Its tree planting scheme is a great way to realise these ambitions.”

The Woodland Trust is promoting tree planting as the best climate change solution. Trees lock up carbon and can help the UK reach its carbon net zero target by 2050.