Park project gets to root of the matter (From Wiltshire Times)

Park project gets to root of the matter

12:30pm Saturday 28th February 2009 in Bradford By Victoria Ashford

HUNDREDS of trees have been planted this week as part of an ongoing project that will transform Barton Farm Country Park near Bradford on Avon.

More than 100 people gathered in the grounds on Saturday to eat cake, drink tea and listen to music provided by the Singing in the Round local choir, while they planted trees as part of a project involving Wiltshire County Council, Climate Friendly Bradford and the Preservation Trust.

Leo Wirtz, a senior countryside ranger for the county council, said: “What’s really nice is that everyone who has planted a tree has a stake in the future of the country park, that’s the exciting bit for me really.

“In total we have planted 850 trees so far. Because people have done so well and because of the topography we have had to buy some more trees.”

Organisers had originally planned to plant 750 trees throughout the project, which began last November.

Dan Knowlson, director of Lightbeing Creations, a Trowbridge-based company which offers ethical website design, planted 20 trees on Saturday to mark their first year in business.

Youngsters from seven nearby schools are also due to go down to the park to plant trees today.

Mr Wirtz said: “It’s going to be really nice to have all the kids down there.

“It seems to have really appealed to a whole cross-section of the community.”