The Friends of Howden Marsh Group has teamed up with Howden Brownies to plant 70 new trees in the nature reserve.
The community group, which was created by Howden Town Council works to maintain and improve the reserve for everyone to enjoy, and on Sunday, March 12, the group were joined by youngsters from the local Brownie group to help plant a collection of fruit trees at the site. The planting was part of Howden’s Jubilee Community Orchard project which has been funded by the National Lottery Community Fund.
A spokesperson for Howden Town Council said: “The project aims to engage community groups in all aspects: Planting working parties, care and harvesting. “The Community Jubilee Orchard will be in existence for generations to come and for the enjoyment of all. “We hope to see groups pick the fruit and make produce, passing on the skills of cooking and preserving. It also aims to increase wildlife and bio diversity into the local nature reserve. “The orchard will be an area for all to be enjoyed by generations to come. It is our opportunity to put back a small element of the history of Howden, at the time when housing development is putting pressure on green spaces. “A lasting reminder of 70 years to the Queen's reign, in a local nature reserve that is utilised by the community.” The council also hopes the Jubilee Community Orchard project will lead to further projects in the local area. A spokesperson for Howden Town Council said: “We would like to explore future opportunities of grafting and producing new tree stocks from our orchard which can be planted elsewhere around Howden. “As a bigger project we would like to move forward with plans for a Community Woodland to continue to provide the increasing community with the benefits of healthy living, green open spaces, access to nature, trees also create attractive environments for business investment and development. With the ever present climate change trees absorb carbon dioxide and help with flood control.”
Members of Howden Brownies helped to plant new trees at Howden Marsh. (23-03-112 SU)
