Plant a tree, help us to create a community woodland for Biggleswade

Central Bedfordshire Council is planting over 8,000 trees to create a Jubilee Wood on land to the east of Biggleswade, thanks to an English Woodland Grant Scheme award.

 

 

The council, in partnership with Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity and many local groups and schools, will be planting a mixture of native species including Hornbeam, English oak and Wild Service trees. 

 

The tree planting was kicked off by Cllr Caroline Maudlin, Chairman of the council and Cllr Ian Dalgarno, Deputy Executive member for Sustainable Communities Services who planted a Wych Elm tree along the edge of the public footpath. The Ivel Valley Conservation Volunteers continued with the planting; just one of the many voluntary organisations who will be helping over the coming week. 

 

Cllr Ian Dalgarno said: “The new Jubilee woodland will create a fantastic legacy for future generations and I look forward to seeing it grow and mature over the coming years”. 

 

Cllr Mauldin added: “With over 8,000 trees being planted, we’ve got our work cut out! But it was really fantastic to plant this first one and we hope that lots of people come along this weekend to join in planting the rest.” 

 

On Saturday 30 November and Sunday 1 December, residents can join in the planting event between 9am and 4pm. Please wear suitable clothing, sturdy footwear and if you have a spade you are happy to use, please bring this along too. If you can, please walk to the site. Limited parking will be available on site for those that need it, but you can walk there using the public footpath from Saxon Drive, through the allotments. 

 

The land, which is owned by the council, is being planted following archaeological investigations on the site and to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of HRH Queen Elizabeth II.  

 

The Jubilee Wood will cover approximately 20 acres of land and will provide a fabulous new woodland for Biggleswade residents to enjoy.  

 

The Jubilee Wood will form an important part of the Biggleswade 'Green Wheel', a project with the vision for a green ‘circular’ corridor around Biggleswade, which encourages walking and cycling and increases biodiversity. 

 

The woodland will contain a number of paths named after key tree varieties which will give permissive access for the public to enjoy the woodland. 

 

To get to Jubilee Wood, follow the Public Footpath through the Biggleswade allotment site, and alongside the adjacent field.  For a map and other details please visit:  http://bedsrcc.org.uk/latestnews/plant-a-tree-flyer-nov2013.pdf