Many More Trees Planted!

 

Over two grey winter days we planted no fewer than 36 trees in Forbes Field. While the great majority (29) were planted by volunteers during our Field Day on Saturday, 9 December, the remainder entered the ground the following Monday thanks to the children of Chilmark and Fonthill Bishop School.

 

Despite a dire forecast of heavy rain, our final Field Day of 2023 was well attended. 20 villagers, well supported by a team of five volunteers from the Chilmark-based charity, RE:ACT, worked efficiently to plant a strip of Black Poplars and White Willows along the northern edge of the field, while adding three new Mulberries and a couple of replacement trees to the Orchard, together with planting a number of further trees in the Half Moon plot near the western boundary. All present were fortified by seasonal mulled wine and mince pies.

 

The ‘School’ day witnessed ten enthusiastic Year 6 children beavering away to plant seven Whitebeams midway between the field entrance on Hops Close and the Orchard. This plot, known as the Coronation Grove, commemorates the crowning of King Charles III earlier in the year. We trust that the School will keep a close interest in ‘their’ trees over the years to come.

 

Looking ahead to 2024, we intend to plant a few more trees and some hedging, erect information panels and build a stone cairn at the field’s highest point (its south-west corner) to provide a fitting memorial to Diana Forbes, who donated her 3-acre field to the village in 2008. All should be completed in time for our grand summer opening – details to follow.

​

Dec 2023