North Devon on alert for 'tree 'o' clock' this Saturday

dave.tanner@archant.co.uk
01 December 2009

A WORLD record attempt to plant one million trees nationwide is taking place on Satuday.

The one-hour attempt, between 11am and 12 noon is being organised by the BBC Breathing Places Campaign to mark National Tree Week.

Would-be volunteers can take part in various local events, including plantings in Barnstaple, Bideford and Abbotsham.

Volunteers have until Friday to sign up for a North Devon Council parks team Tree 'o' Clock event taking place at Yeo Valley Community Woodland, Silverwood Heights, Barnstaple. Participants are asked to arrive at 10am for a planting demonstration before the action begins.

Lead Member for Parks, Councillor Eric Ley, said: "Come along and get stuck in to this fun family event. Not only will you be part of a Guinness World Record attempt, you'll also be helping to develop a local community woodland in the process. There are only a few days left to book, so give our parks team a call as soon as you can to make sure you're part of the Tree'o'Clock event."

Participants need to wear wellies, warm or waterproof clothing and bring at least one spade per family or group. There will also be a chance to rest and recover with a mince pie when the hour's planting is up.

To book, call the council's Parks team on (01271) 388326 or email parks@northdevon.gov.uk.

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North Devon's own Britain's Got talent star Merlin will be dropping in to the tree planting by members of the Christian-based youth charity Wings at their Lendon Barn site at Abbotsham.

He will count the group in and the count down the finish as Wings members, staff and any volunteers who want to help out plant 200 trees between 11am and 12noon on Saturday.

There will be other activities, such as sports and engine changing - promoting the work that Wings South West does with young people.



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A massive 4,000 trees are being planted at the BIG Sheep, Abbotsham.

The North Devon Coast and Countryside Service is hoping to plant more than 3,000 trees across the North Devon Biosphere Reserve and a veritable forest of trees is being given away to local landowners, who are being invited to apply for up to 200 free trees.

It is also holding a planting at Higher Huxhill Farm at Gammaton. Volunteers are invited to gather at the old Bideford Railway Station in East-the-Water at 9.30am before travelling to the farm.

Bring warm clothes, wellies and a spade if you have one. There will be tea and mince pies after the planting.

For more information on the Big Sheep event call (01237) 472366. For the East-the-Water event, telephone Rupert Hawley on (01237) 423655 or visit www.northdevonbiosphere.org