BARENTIN Way housing estate off Ramshill benefited from a volunteer-led campaign to plant up part of its ‘kickabout area’ with fruit trees and a wildlife hedge.

Led by Petersfield town councillors John Lees and Paul Milner, a group of 15 volunteers including residents, tree wardens and local young people, met last Saturday (March 26) to plant more than 50 trees and shrubs on to an area that had been cleared of rank vegetation such as bramble and nettle.

The fine, healthy tree specimens were provided by local resident and volunteer project manager Phil Paulo of Future Shoots CIC, and the Petersfield Community Tree Initiative.

Future Shoots CIC is a local environmental not-for-profit group that helps schools and communities to plant more trees.

Orchard trees were supplied by Hilliers nurseries in Liss and the hedging was donated from The Conservation Volunteers (TCV) I Dig Trees 2022 programme.

The trees included eating apple, cooking apple, crab-apple, greengage and plum, which were planted in front of hazel that had been coppiced last year by the town’s grounds team.

The planted area is gently bounded by a low hawthorn hedge that will include brash and other dry material to act as protection while the plants establish themselves and also provide habitat for a range of species.

Phil Paulo said he was very pleased with the way the day went.

He added: “It was great to be joined by Max and Freya from Churcher’s College and TPS who were improving their local environment as part of their Duke of Edinburgh Award.

“I want to thank TCV for the generous grant which helped us purchase tools to use on the day”.

Volunteers who helped on the day included local councillors, Ramshill residents, Petersfield tree wardens, youth volunteers and a number of children.