Community Board supports tree-mendous green initiative in Buckingham

Democracy and Local Affairs, Environment
From left, Cllr Howard Mordue, Chair of Buckingham & Villages Community Board, ward councillor Caroline Cornell, resident Zoe Buckle, MP Greg Smith, Mayor of Buckingham, Margaret Gateley and ward councillor Patrick Fealey with pupils from Lace Hill Academy.

A newly planted selection of fruit trees will provide a feast for both the eyes and mouths of Buckingham residents in years to come, thanks to the recent planting of 20 trees in Lace Hill which were officially unveiled last week.

The trees, including varieties of apple, pear, cherry and plum, were planted earlier this year, at Lace Hill Academy and the nearby Community Centre, in a joint project between Buckingham Town Council and Buckingham & Villages Community Board.

On Friday (20 May) the newly planted area was officially opened, with guests including town councillors, local ward councillors, Community Board members and MP Greg Smith. The aim of the planting is to enhance the local environment for the benefit of all residents and also to teach children about the benefits of healthy eating and growing your own produce.

Buckingham & Villages Community Board Chair, Howard Mordue said: “We are delighted to support this community initiative which will bring benefits to local people of all ages, from the young children learning about growing and eating healthy foods to the residents who can enjoy the natural beauty of the trees as they grow and mature over the years. I would also like to thank Zoe Buckle who put the idea forward.”

In addition to the benefits to the local community, the tree planting forms part of the nationwide Queen’s Green Canopy initiative which encourages communities to plant trees as a legacy to Her Majesty The Queen in her Platinum Jubilee year and also the council’s commitment to planting more trees as part of its approach to tackling climate change.

Gareth Williams, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment said: “It is great to see so many of our local communities embracing the need for action on climate change and working with us to think proactively about what they can do to help. This community initiative in Buckingham is just one of many across the county that will benefit us and future generations.”

Tree planting is just one of the many ways we can help the environment and reach our net zero carbon goal for Buckinghamshire, as part of the Bucks Climate Challenge. For more information visit: www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/climatechange