Arbor Day paves way for future enjoyment

ALDERNEY nature lovers planted more than 1,000 trees for this year's Arbor Day, during which islanders are asked to spend one day a year restocking woodland cut down for fuel.

The tradition was revived five years ago by the Alderney Wildlife Trust as part of a project to repopulate the Les Rochers section of the island with native species such as oak, hazel and wild apple.

Five Guernsey Conservation Volunteers had been poised to fly over to add their muscle to the planting efforts but last week's fog put paid to their plans.

Despite the weather and missing volunteers, trust officers declared the day a success, with most of the 1,000 trees, brought in for

free by Alderney Shipping, planted.

About 30 people from Alderney turned up on the day to get stuck in.

The latest section of planting was designed by competition winner Deborah Etheredge, aged nine, who had some very definite ideas about what she wanted to see.

Her design included wooden mushroom seats, bird boxes and beehives. Judges were impressed with her imagination.

She said: 'I put in a fairy trail and a children's play area in my design because I thought it would encourage children to think more about nature and a nature walk because I enjoy nature.

'My brother and I also looked at local folklore.

'We found there were certain trees you shouldn't pass if you were travelling and we wanted to put that in.'

The area, called Milly's Wood, was planted in memory of the wife of former Alderney States member Colin Williams, Millicent, who died in 2010.

'She loved children and animals and birds,' said Mr Williams.

'It was an ideal fit and I'm delighted to have been able to do it. It's something everyone will be able to enjoy, not just now but in the future, and that's about as good as you can get.'

An orchard with varieties including plum trees, mulberry, apple and pear was also planted, funded by the WI.

More than 7,000 native species have been planted in Alderney over the last three years, making the woodland project the biggest landscape change since the Second World War.

Adam Offler, the trust's reserves officer, said the trees would take years to fully mature, but when they did would form a part of the island that would be enjoyed for generations.

'We have had a really good day of planting,' he said.

'The trees don't look like much at the moment, but in 15 years' time it will be more noticeable – you'll be able to tell you're in woodland, although these oaks may take 100 years to fully reach maturity and it'll be the grandchildren of the children here who will be enjoying it.'

Children from St Anne's School planted the remaining trees.

* This year is Alderney Wildlife Trust's 10th anniversary.