Loads more lovely, carbon-absorbing, wildlife-sheltering young trees were planted in Alexandra Recreation Ground this morning, continuing the hedgerow creation work of last weekend, again with a mix of local volunteers. This time GoodGymers Cat, Ria, Laura and Linda joined the team for a variety of tasks including digging holes, settling the saplings into their new home, and wheelbarrowing mulch across the park to add at the base as a way of holding in moisture and preventing weeds from robbing the new growth of nutrients.

We finished by recycling Christmas tree fronds to form a protective dead hedge which will, over time, rot down to enrich the earth, meaning our festive waste is giving something back!

Finally, wooden fencing has begun to be installed as an extra shield for the delicate plants – while they are getting established, this will help to ensure that they don’t get damaged by stray footballs from the playing field.

After a long but rewarding session, another 10 metres of mixed hedgerow was added… to be continued!