Children Plant Platinum Tree With A Little Help From A Friend

ON Tuesday 17th May children from Chiltern Primary along with the Basingstoke Lions and their mascot Lennie planted four trees as part of The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) tree planting initiative which was created to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee.

The Basingstoke Lions secured a wild cherry tree to add to the school’s grounds.

Chiltern Primary is very much committed to developing their on-site woodland which encircles the playground and the school field. The woodland is used by every class every week as part of the Outdoor Learning curriculum.

As a school, they have recently received the prestigious Gold Award from the Woodland Trust which involved all the children taking part in fun, practical projects while helping the environment and improving their grounds. Mrs Jocelyn, who oversees outdoor learning said: “We were delighted that the Basingstoke Lions could assist us in being part of the ‘Plant a Tree for the Jubilee’ initiative. It is so important that we explain to the children the need to protect our native species which in turn will help our native wildlife.”

The children have been involved through class work and outdoor learning sessions in practical rewilding activities such as planting foxgloves, forget-me-knots and primroses to help support the bees. In addition, the children have created animal habitats too from a Toad abode to a bug hotel. Mrs Jocelyn continued: “Since we started the rewilding project during lockdown we have seen a greater range of bugs and larger animals return to our site. This year marked the largest amount of frogspawn we have ever seen in our school pond so our efforts must be working!”

The children enjoyed meeting Lennie and tree planting but they were also aware that the trees they planted are part of a much bigger project. “There’s something about being outdoors that is so good for you. I thoroughly enjoy each and every Outdoor Learning session,” said one Year 5 pupil. A Year 4 pupil added: “Planting a tree really does change the future, that tree will grow and support more wildlife, especially this wild cherry that will provide food for the birds.”