Barton Camp in Winscombe get tree planting boost
Hinkley Connection Project contractors have helped a youth charity and the natural environment by replacing diseased and dying trees in Winscombe. Over 30 trees and almost 800 young trees, called whips, were planted.
National Grid's carbon neutral landscaping contractors Ground Control have been busy planting new trees which will be enjoyed by young people at Barton Camp, Winscombe. This is just the latest way in which National Grid is helping to support education and young people along the Hinkley Connection route.
The residential camp is used by Bristol Children’s Help Society, which plays a key role in helping young people enjoy the benefits of the countryside through promoting aspiration, self-determination and resilience through a range of outdoor, team building activities.
Bristol Children’s Help Society offers residential and outdoor learning experiences for children whose personal circumstances have significantly depleted their life opportunities. This could be the result of a wide variety of situations including disability, poverty, parental drug or alcohol misuse, their own status (including being in care or a carer), entering the UK as a refugee, bereavement or mental health issues.
We had our tree stock decimated by Ash dieback and Dutch Elm disease and the woods were very bare. We could not afford to replace the lost trees and so the timing of the tree project was wonderful.
A number of trees at the site had suffered from disease and had died, affecting the appearance of the gardens. National Grid’s contractors have transformed the space as part of the offsite planting and enhacement scheme (OSPES), meaning hundreds of children will benefit from the improved environment and have a space to take shelter from the sun over the summer months when they are enjoying the outdoors.
OSPES is a scheme available to landowners within 3km of the Hinkley Connection Project who can apply for free tree and hedgerow planting. The scheme is designed to reduce the visual impact of construction works and the permanent structures for local residents.
The tree planting by National Grid contractors follows the recent news that 2,511 trees, 75,000 square metres of woodland and over 20,000 metres of hedgerow have now been planted since the start of the Hinkley Connection Project.
Brian Hall from the Bristol Children’s Help Society said, “The Society would like to express our grateful thanks for the wonderful plantations that have been completed by the National Grid on the back of the Hinkley Connection Project at our residential Barton Camp site.
“We had our tree stock decimated by Ash dieback and Dutch Elm disease and the woods were very bare. We could not afford to replace the lost trees and so the timing of the tree project was wonderful. Following the massive help from National Grid, the site will continue to be transformed. A massive thanks from us all.”
Steve Haskayne, Project Director for the Hinkley Connection Project said, “We’re delighted to see National Grid’s commitment to local communities making a real difference. These new trees will be enjoyed by countless young people over the years, and will help improve the natural environment along the Hinkley Connection Project route.
“We’re very grateful to the Bristol Children’s Help Society for putting forward their initiative as a potential planting site, as well as to our contractors, who consistently work hard to deliver real benefits for local people”.
