Story: Gaby Spinks
The Community Forestry Team, based at Meersbrook Park, has decided to rescue their Burngreave Community Forestry project, which includes the One World Tree Project in Abbeyfield Park.
When New Deal rejected the application to continue of the Burngreave Green Environment Programme in August, the funding of the scheme was cut off, but Richard Gill, Community Tree officer, was not to be deterred. He felt that the project was too successful to lose, and together with his managers they have scraped together the money to finance a full-time forester who will work predominantly in the Pitsmoor and Burngreave areas. Dan Lewis, Tree and Woodland manager said that they would now be able to give a better service to a wider area as they wouldn’t be restrained by the New Deal area any more.
The service which started in 2002 involves local residents, schools and community groups with planting, care and maintenance of both old and new trees.
Tim Shortland, previously from the Tinsley and Darnell Tree Project, will be starting in the new post at the end of September. If you like to contact Tim or Richard for any advice or information, please call 273 4190.
Highlighting how successful a project this is, the One World Tree Project, along with Green Fingers, Burngreave Day Care and Firshill Community Gardens have all won Merit Awards in the ‘Yorkshire in Bloom’ awards ceremony held in Sheffield’s Cutlers Hall on 13th September.