Sir Oliver Heald, local MP for North East Hertfordshire, having given a talk to Baldock Rotary Club at a recent zoom meeting, was invited to plant a tree in the new Rotary wood which is being organised by members Rob Hemmings and Michael Muir.

Sir Oliver planted two Alder (Alnus glutinosa) trees which are native to Britain and are also found throughout Europe and as far afield as Siberia. These trees in addition to fifty-five other Goat Willow (Salix caprea) trees, which are native to Europe and western and central Asia, were kindly donated by Herts Native Trees, a plant and tree nursery based in Bygrave.

The two-acre wood, which is close to Ivel Springs, is the second woodland area to be created by Baldock Rotary and now comprises over 900 trees and saplings. Pathways have been created and further work will involve installing benches and gateways.

In due course, this will be a community facility providing a green corridor beside Ivel Springs containing a woodland walk and wildflower glade. Over time it will provide a play area for children, picnic area, place for dog walking or just taking a gentle stroll in the country.

Commenting, Sir Oliver said “the creation of the wood will become an excellent community facility and makes an important contribution towards the Woodland Trust initiative to plant more trees for the benefit of people, wildlife and the environment”.

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