Celebrating 175 years with 1846 trees
Published: 24 November 2021
Tree planting volunteers
Derby Parks has joined up with Trees for Cities and a local community organisation to create a new wooded area in Chaddesden on Roe Farm Recreation Ground. In total 1846 trees will be planted, to mark the 175th anniversary of the Society of the Holy Child Jesus, a Catholic organisation which was founded in Derby in 1846.
Trees for Cities (TfC), is a UK charity working at a national and international scale to improve lives by planting trees in cities and have approached the Parks Team and Trees for Derby to fund the creation of a new wooded area, following previous partnership working.
Trees for Derby are a charitable organisation with an aim to plant a tree for every resident in Derby, with a focus on climate change, improved air quality and the community's wellbeing.
The new woodland will add to an existing plantation undertaken by Derby Parks and Trees for Derby in 2019.
The main planting event is on Saturday 27 November, from 10am to 3pm, at Roe Farm off Worcester Crescent, Chaddesden, DE21 4ES. Support of the people of Derby is needed, so come along and plant a tree, even if you can only spare an hour you will be welcomed.
The planting day will involve members from Derby City Council Parks Team, Trees for Derby, Derby Parks Volunteers, representatives from the Society of the Holy Child Jesus and the wider community.
Councillor Jerry Pearce, Derby City Council Cabinet Member for Streetpride and Public spaces said,
This an amazing community focused collaboration to revitalise our inner-city green spaces. The new wooded area will enhance the environment for the community and inner-city wildlife. This in-turn will improve the health and wellbeing through improved air quality and provide an additional green space to visit.
All tree plant volunteers are asked to bring their own refreshments, especially if you’re staying for the day. We would ask that people attending wear appropriate footwear and clothing for tree planting in an outdoor environment. The activity will be undertaken in line with current Covid guidelines. Tools and equipment will be available, however, if you wish to bring your own, please ensure that they are in suitable working order.
Angela O’Connor, Province Leader for the Society of the Holy Child Jesus, said,
The Society of the Holy Child Jesus, a congregation of Roman Catholic religious sisters, was founded in Derby in 1846. To mark our 175th anniversary, in partnership with Trees for Cities and their wonderful volunteers, we are delighted to be planting 1846 trees at Roe Farm.
Our beginnings in Derby were small and tentative but today there are Holy Child sisters in Africa, Europe and North and South America. We hope the trees planted now will flourish in a similar way and contribute to a greener more sustainable future for the city of Derby and for our planet.
Roddy Shaw, Senior Partnerships and Development Coordinator for Trees for Cities said,
We are very grateful to the Society of the Holy Child Jesus for making the local community and environment healthier by planting 1,846 trees at Roe Farm, to celebrate their remarkable anniversary, through their fantastic support of Trees for Cities. Thanks also to Derby City Council for their partnership and commitment to planting urban trees with TfC.
Trees for Cities is a UK based charity helping to improve lives by creating greener spaces and healthier environments in urban areas. Our objectives are to help grow stronger communities, enhance urban spaces, and improve health and happiness in parts of cities that need it most. We bring together local residents and community groups to work on practical greening projects in parks, streets, housing estates and schools.
For further details and how to join the tree planting event please see Derby Parks Facebook Event.