Residents Get Sappy for Valentines

It was love for the planet that was on the menu for Valentines this year, as green fingered Bromsgrove residents donned wellies and gardening gloves to play their part in tackling climate change.

A community tree planting event organised by local councillors Rob Hunter and Josh Robinson took place on Valentines weekend at Lickey End Recreation Ground. Generous local volunteers were instructed by a professional tree specialist who oversaw the planting of a new mini orchard of pear and apple trees. The new trees will help to improve woodland habitat links as well as making the area look more attractive. Volunteers also helped reseed a recently introduced wild flower meadow, ready for the spring.

The tree planting project was part of a wider programme of work to improve the environment at the popular local park on Alcester Road in Lickey End. It followed the establishment last year of a new wildflower meadow, and another volunteering day dedicated to reintroducing native water plants to the Spadesbourne Brook. Invasive Himalayan Balsam had previously caused a lot of damage, but recent improvements have helped restore biodiversity at the brook, which is a known habitat for endangered water voles.

Cllr Rob Hunter said: "It really was fantastic to see so much support from the local community for this. I'd like to say a huge thank you to local residents for volunteering their time and to council officers for helping us get the day set up."

Cllr Josh Robison said: "It just goes to show what we can do when we all come together, the recreation ground really has come on a long way recently and its wonderful to see."

Clearing out the Himalayan Balsam and improving the environment has also helped reduce the risk of flooding. In previous years the Alcester Road had to be closed after the brook silted up and burst its banks.