STUDLEY residents are looking forward to a particularly fruitful new year after 260 plum, pear and apple trees were delivered to local people last weekend.
The trees, paid for by the Studley Improvement Partnership and backed by a grant from the Parish Council, were available free on a first come first served basis.
The aim, said co-organiser Maureen Rickhards, was to not only bring joy to those lucky enough to get one, but also to improve the village as a whole.
“We were inspired by efforts to plant large native trees like oak around the village,” she said.
“I thought we could do something similar but on a smaller scale, with family trees for family gardens.
“People would then benefit from first the blossom and then the fruit.
“Over all that was a desire to improve the air quality in the village and to bring wildlife back to our gardens.”
Studley Improvement Partnership is hoping to keep a living record of the trees and is asking residents to keep a photo record of their tree when it is in blossom and when it is fruiting, and if it is being planted to mark a special occasion or as a memorial.
Pictures – print only – can be sent to Maureen at 9 Albury Road, Studley, B80 7LW or to Hazel Wright at Glenthorne House, 17 Station Road, Studley B80 7HR.
“We had great help distributing the trees and I would like to thank everyone who offered to come and collect their tree and the Parish Council for all their assistance,” added Maureen.
