A PARK in Westcliff is now a little bit greener after volunteers helped plant 400 young trees. 

Members of the local Buddhist group Action for the Planet and Fairfax Drive-based charity Trust Links members joined forces with Southend City Council to plant the trees in Gainsborough Park.

A total of 35 volunteers planted hazel, elder, silver birch, dogwood, oak, beech, apple, rowan, hawthorn, field maple, hornbeam, crab apple and a variety of other saplings along the western border of the small park.

They also planted a small ‘island-style’ copse to ensure the planting was as naturalistic as possible.

Echo: Great work - a range of organisations and local residents took partGreat work - a range of organisations and local residents took part (Image: Trust Links)

When each tree was planted it was mulched with wood bark in a doughnut shape to help suppress weeds, decrease summer water loss and strengthen the saplings’ roots.

The planting area had been carefully marked out by Trust Links’ Growing Together manager Elias Watson working in close cooperation with Action for the Planet’s Matt Lane and Southend Council ranger, Dave James.

Mr Lane said: “Everyone can make a difference to help combat climate change and you have all started doing this by planting these trees.

"We’ve done this all together, as a community. Everyone can feel proud of themselves.”

Growing Together manager Elias Watson said: “Planting trees is a sign of hope, it’s uplifting that local people are getting involved and adopting their local space.”

Echo: Green space - 400 trees were planted in totalGreen space - 400 trees were planted in total (Image: Trust Links)

Prittlewell Ward Conservative Councillors Kevin Buck and Meg Davidson, members of the public, Buddhists from the community and several Trust Links members helped on the day.

Also assisting on the day were Southend Council’s Ian Brown and the council’s environmental and green Space project officer, Rachel Ellis.

Gainsborough Park borders Prittlewell brook with entrances on the brook path and on Prittlewell Chase.

It is a favourite haunt of dogwalkers. There is also a playground and in the summer the main area is sometimes used by volleyball enthusiasts. 

Trust Links’ Greening Southend team works with local communities to reclaim forgotten and underused public spaces. Currently the team are working on the Woodgrange Community Garden at Romany Steps on the Kursaal Estate.

To get involved or suggest projects for the Greening Southend team see the Facebook page  www.facebook/com/GreeningSouthend