Our activities – The early Years

Our first task was to survey our town to identify potential sites for tree planting. Many of the sites identified were, inevitably, within residential areas. We soon found that green spaces throughout residential areas were also ideal places to lay underground services such as gas, water and electricity, making them unsuitable for tree planting. However enough suitable sites were found to enable us to plant over 500 trees since we began in 2014.

One of our priorities since the very beginning has been to plant trees around children’s playgrounds to provide shade during our increasingly hot summers. We continue to keep such areas under review for the need to enhance planting to increase protection for our youngsters.

Another major project completed in the early years has been the creation of the Witham Memorial Park dedicated to those who gave their lives for their country while serving in HM armed forces during World Wars One and Two and other conflicts. The Park, situated between Honeysuckle Way and Bramble Road, was completed in 2021.

Co-operation with local residents’ associations and housing associations featured in major tree planting projects in the Humber Road, Hatfield Road and Forest Road areas and the Templars estate.

In the spring of 2024, we began a major tree planting scheme along the route of the newly created Cycleway between the Rivenhall Oaks area and Motts Lane. This scheme has been supported by Essex Country Council with funds from the Forestry Commission Urban Tree Fund.