7:53am Wednesday 10th March 2010
RESIDENTS of a village near York took advantage of the spring sunshine when they dug deep to help the environment.
The Woodland Trust has donated 650 trees to the community, and locals were out planting the saplings in One-Acre Field, a strip on the edge of Holtby which was recently released from agricultural use.
About 25 volunteers turned up with spades and bags of enthusiasm. They planted, staked and protected a wood full of native trees – mainly oak, ash, rowan, hazel, holly and thorn. The site, at 42 metres above sea level, is the highest point in the area of York, with superb views not only of the Dales, Moors and Wolds, but also of the city of York.
Local farmer and landowner Martin Cockerill has allowed a permissive footpath to cross his land, which will join two public rights of way to form a rural route between Holtby and Dunnington.
The environmental value of the wood will be extended by the sowing of wild flowers, positioning of benches on the high land, and information boards.
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