After receiving a prize fund of £12,000, received from customer votes through Tesco’s in-store Bags of Help initiative, the project Forest for Peterborough is giving the community garden at WestRaven Big Local a green makeover!
The environmental charity PECT, through its project Forest for Peterborough, has teamed up with the community space to improve its planting and facilities for the benefit of local residents, wildlife and the environment.
Activities on the site include installing an Art Wall that will be painted by school children and volunteers, creating a Forest Circle with seating and permeable pathing to improve accessibility to the site, and installing two Water Harvesters with wood covers for collecting rain water.
In addition to this, 60 mixed apple trees are being planted to create an orchard. The tree planting will provide fruit for eating, help to improve biodiversity and provide a habitat for wildlife. Planting trees also helps to mitigate the effects of climate change in a number of ways: including removing carbon dioxide, filtering air pollution, and absorbing rainwater and UV radiation.
“Local school children, community groups and residents in Westwood and Ravensthorpe will be able to enjoy the benefits of this work for many years to come,” explains Project Officer Simon Belham. “We’re delighted to be able to support this fantastic green space and make a difference for the community.”
PECT is grateful for the support of the voting public and the Tesco’s Bags of Help scheme, which sees community projects awarded grants raised from the 5p plastic bag charge. For more information visit www.tesco.com/bagsofhelp.
For further information about PECT visit www.pect.org.uk. To find out more about the WestRaven Big Local project and the work that it is carrying out in the community, see www.westraven.co.uk.