Celebration in trees

ON anniversary days most people would plump for jolly jamborees.

But Bennetts of Dereham chose a celebration with a green twist instead - planting 60 trees for every year it has been serving the local community.

More than 30 people turned up on Sunday at the town's Neatherd Moor to help Philip and Jennifer Morter, the owners of the well-respected electrical firm, to plant the saplings in an area earmarked for open woodland.

“My wife, who is a third generation Bennett, and I decided to donate these trees to give something back to the community on our 60th anniversary,” said Mr Morter. “These trees will help create new habitats for wildlife and I'm sure the area will be greatly enjoyed by many generations to come.”

Mr and Mrs Morter have

he full backing of Dereham Town Council which is working to create a community woodland and wildflower glade on Neatherd Moor.

Trees planted by the family included oak, mulberry, meddler, cherry, hazelnut and plum.

The site currently supports rank, tall grassland, which was cultivated in the past and was a haven for a large colony of bee orchid.

The council is now considering ways to create an area of woodland through planting locally-sourced native trees such as oak, ash, beech, hazel, crab tree, wild plum or cherry.

There are also plans for open grassland which will include berry-bearing shrubs such as blackthorn, hawthorn or spindle. The open grassland glade will be managed as part of the wider mowing regime for the moor.

Ideally, the council would like to see around 500 trees in the area which measures around 0.6ha.

A spokesman for the council said: “To achieve the desired density in the woodland area we will be looking to bring in an additional 250 additional trees. Some of these trees will occur through natural regeneration; they should be protected with tree guards and relocated as necessary. Local volunteers and schools could be involved in this ongoing project.”