VILLAGERS and young people in Leafield marked National Tree Week by planting trees on their village green.

The project was supported by a grant from the Tree Council, which funds activities to raise awareness of the importance of trees to the environment, and to encourage the participation, especially of young people, in planting and nurturing them.

Sheila Tremlett, of The Green, who applied for the Tree Council grant, said: “Several mature trees on the green have been lost in recent years, due to age, storm damage, flooding and felling, so we were keen to replace them.

“We used the opportunity of Tree Council funding to promote an educational activity for young people in our community, and to highlight the value of trees to the environment, both locally and nationally.”

Several children who helped with the planting are members of the Leafield Guides who are working towards the Baden Powell Challenge Award – the highest award a Guide can achieve.

The Challenge is divided into five ‘zones’ – healthy lifestyles, global awareness, discovery, skills and relationships, and celebrating diversity.

One of the clauses involves taking part in a practical activity to benefit the environment in their local community, such as tree planting.

First mounted in 1975, National Tree Week is the UK's largest tree celebration launching annually at the start of the winter tree planting season.