We met MDDC's new Tree Officer in the summer and felt encouraged by her enthusiasm and knowledge. She explained that this autumn work will be done on some of the Newcombes Meadow trees and those in People's Park, those that need it. She also explained the difficult and costly business of preparing street tree sites and therefore how restricting this is.

We continue to be in touch with MDDC about tree planting in public places, and have spoken to the new tree officer there.

We hope to meet her in a month or two, after she has caught up with the backlog which was awaiting her on her arrival. The small plantation at Southfields has now been tidied up in accordance with our request. The three small wild cherry saplings which we planted on the wide verge at the bottom of QE Drive have survived the winter and are thriving, and AT LAST after well over a decade of effort, we have succeeded in getting an ornamental cherry tree planted on the corner of Barnfield and Cherry Gardens to replace the dead one. We have also had a new oak tree planted in Newcombes Meadow and Sandra Chalton initiated the planting of a Devon Sorb apple there.

If anyone has ideas about where they would like to see trees planted in public areas they could contact us, or contact the new tree officer Kathy Lynch at MDDC on 01884 255255.

Saving ancient orchards

From the BBC Website: Scheme to save ancient orchards

Dozens of orchards have been created and cultivated in a bid to protect traditional fruit trees and wildlife habitat.