Tree-planting scheme sees Steep pupils put down roots in the village

School children dug deep to help the environment by planting new trees on Steep Village Common. 

Pupils from Steep Primary School and Bedales donned their wellies and picked up spades to plant 120 new saplings. 

The trees were purchased by Steep Parish Council with the help of a £751 grant from local East Hampshire District Councillor Nick Drew. 

Around ten varieties of tree, including cherry blossom, silver birch, hawthorn and the unusual wild service tree, were added to the local woods under the watchful eye of Steep Parish Councillor Jeff Graham and local volunteers from the village. 

Jeff Graham, of Steep Parish Council, said: “It’s great to see the children outside and getting their hands dirty planting these new trees. 

“I see it as an important part of their community education to get some practical experience of nature and the environment.  

“Both the schools have been really helpful by allowing the kids to take part and I would also thank Cllr Drew for the generous grant that made it possible.” 

Cllr Drew said: “This is a great idea and will provide a huge benefit for the local community. Not only will it add new trees to our common, improving the biodiversity of the area, but it also engages the young people involved to think about environmental issues.  

“It gives the children a stake in the village as they will grow up knowing they had a hand in planting these trees. They have done a brilliant job and I am thrilled to have been able to support it.  

“What’s more this is another 120 trees added towards EHDC’s ambition of seeing 120,000 trees planted around East Hampshire, one for every resident in the district.” 

So far EHDC has helped the district plant more than 39,000 trees, with a further 10,000 due to go in the ground before the season is over. This has been achieved through community planting projects, planning conditions and private landowners. 

Find out more about our tree-planting initiative on our website.