After a week of overcast skies and bitter winds, I was slightly apprehensive about spending time outdoors volunteering with the charity, Andover Trees. But I needn’t have worried, the morning dawned bright and sunny and the cheery group who greeted me soon put me at ease.
I hadn’t realised it at the time, but my visit was to coincide with a memorable event – the planting of a tree to commemorate the 90th birthday of the anthropologist and environmental campaigner, Jane Goodall. For those who haven’t heard of Jane, she is considered the world's foremost expert on chimpanzees and is the founder of the Roots and Shoots programme, a community-led conservation programme for young people.
Before the tree planting ceremony, the Director of Outreach for the charity, Jasmina Georgovska explained the significance of the occasion: “Jane saw first-hand the effects of deforestation in Tanzania. She felt it was pointless caring for animals if they didn’t have a home. Forests are important to human and animal life and planting trees is an invaluable connection.”
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As we prepared the ground for the sapling, Jasmina said that Jane could see a Beech tree from her window at home in Bournemouth, explaining why the species had been chosen: “She has Beech trees in her garden and from her window, she enjoys watching the seasons change through the trees.”
Rory Attrill, 5 became chief hole digger, watched by his grandparents, Sue and Derek and Dad, Chris. Chris said: “Rory loves coming here. He’s always been a nature lover, he really enjoys planting trees.” Rory agreed, explaining that although he liked the Beech tree, fruit trees were his favourite, particularly apple trees. It might have had something to do with apple pies....
As we made our way to the Cabin for a well-deserved break, I could tell this was a tight-knit group of volunteers who enjoyed being out in nature.
Operations Manager Wendy Davis said it was important for her generation to demonstrate to youngsters that they were trying to do something positive about the environment: “Andover Trees want to empower young people in the community to make a difference, we have a responsibility to do that. England is the least forested country in Europe, we need to plant more trees and respect them.”
The registered charity works in partnership with schools, local authorities, businesses and specialist environmental organisations, with a common aim to promote conservation, improve biodiversity and understanding of the climate.
After coffee, I joined Natalia Vallence, volunteer and youth leader for a tour around part of the site, which now stands at an impressive 44 acres. She explained that she joined Andover Trees when she was 7-year-old young carer: “It’s difficult to socialise when you’re a carer, my mental health has benefitted so much, it’s a place of solace.”
Today Natalia helps lead the Forest School for 2-11-year-olds and the Youth Group. She paused to show me where the groups met and cooked food together.
Not to shirk some real work, I joined a group planting a hedgerow of Rowan, digging into the soft earth.
Nature and Community Officer Abbey Sadler organised the day and praised the volunteers for their time and effort: "This valuable work makes a difference to the green future of Andover, working together to create woodland for the benefit of all. ”
Volunteering with Andover Trees felt special and unique and what better way to look after the planet than to plant some trees and spend some time in nature?
To volunteer with Andover Trees please email volunteers@andovertrees.org.uk.
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