Residents, businesses, community groups, schools and colleges are once again being invited to apply for free trees to help make the borough a greener place to be and to help fight climate change.
Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council has teamed up with Hinckley and Rugby Building Society (Leicestershire and Rutland Community Foundation) and the National Forest Company to offer the trees.
The scheme was launched at Congerstone Primary School, with the school’s eco warriors and School Council members Isabelle, Clive, Rose and Teddy (all year six pupils) planting trees in the school’s nature area, aided by representatives from the Borough Council, Hinckley and Rugby Building Society and the National Forest Company.
Over 29,000 tree saplings and hedging are available to residents, schools, community groups, town, and parish councils as well as charities and businesses to help make the borough a greener and cleaner place to be. If all survive to maturity then they will absorb over 11,600 tonnes of carbon over the next 40 years,
There is a choice of tree: silver birch, rowan, field maple and hazel plus, thanks to popular demand last year, five metre hedging packs.
Saplings and hedging can be ordered online at www.hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk/freetrees until 5 November 2023.
Collection is planned for Saturday 25 November and there will be several collection points across the borough. Confirmation of your collection point will be sent out before the collection date.
Cllr Martin Cartwright, Executive Member for Climate Change said: “I am delighted that once again we are able to offer this free tree and hedging scheme. The benefits of this scheme will last for years to come helping to provide a more pleasurable greener, cleaner environment whilst reducing the impact of climate change at the same time. Taking up the offer will also help us reach our carbon neutral target by 2030, as trees are brilliant carbon absorbers.”
Cllr Lynda Hodgkins, Executive Member for Street Scene Services added: “We are extremely grateful to Hinckley & Rugby Building Society and the National Forest for sponsoring this scheme, which will help to make the borough a greener and more beautiful place to be. All ages and abilities can get involved to plant and care for a tree. Don’t miss out, order a tree today.”
Colin Fyfe, CEO, Hinckley & Rugby Building Society said: “We are proud to again be the lead sponsor of this excellent initiative, which highlights our ongoing commitment to fighting climate change and improving the local environment. Hinckley & Rugby Building Society has a strong tradition of supporting local good causes, including volunteering our time in the community (1,200 hours last year), and we are delighted to be involved in this project.”
Gill Forrester, Community and Wellbeing Manager, National Forest Company said: “We are delighted to once again support Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council with its annual Free Tree Scheme. Trees really are transformational in the landscape, for biodiversity and for our wellbeing. By encouraging more people to plant suitable native trees in their gardens, we are helping to grow a greener, healthier and more sustainable future for everyone to enjoy.”
The trees are small cell grown plants, sourced from the UK.
