Children's tree planting creates urban arboretum

Children at schools across Rochdale borough are busy brightening the grounds of their schools this fortnight, planting hundreds of native trees, and creating an 'urban arboretum' for their communities. The work is part of the Pennine Edge Forest project.

The tree planting in the school grounds will not only enhance the appearance of school grounds, but will provide an educational resource to be used in many different subjects across the curriculum. Most schools are planting native species including oak, ash and beech, but fruit trees are also included at some locations.

As well as planting the trees, the pupils will also be caring for them to ensure that they grow and are an asset for future generations and enhance the neighbourhood.

The planting scheme is building on the success of the school arboretum project last winter, which saw 23 local schools planting mini arboreta in their school grounds.

Funding for the project has been secured from the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund, and the Rochdale 150 celebrations. The arboreta will be planted by the schools with staff from Groundwork Oldham amp; Rochdale or BTCV.

The schools taking part in the planting are:

• All Saints CE Primary, Rochdale - Thursday 30 November
• Belfield Community School - Thursday 30 November, 1-3pm
• St Andrew's CE Primary, Littleborough - Tuesday 5 December, 1-3pm
• Shawclough Community Primary - Wednesday 6 December
• Sandbrook Community Primary - Wednesday 6 December, 9-11am
• Caldershaw/St Vincent's Primary - Wednesday 6 December, 1-3pm
• St John's RC Primary, Rochdale - Thursday 7 December
• Milnrow Parish Primary - Thursday 7 December, 1:30-3:30pm