ONE Suffolk village is making a real environmental difference in a variety of ways.Fun was had by many residents at Stoke by Nayland duirng a community tree planting day while the local Green Team continues to press ahead with initiatives which include battery and ink-jet recycling and an “obnoxious fluids” collection for proper disposal.

By David Green

ONE Suffolk village is making a real environmental difference in a variety of ways.

Fun was had by many residents at Stoke by Nayland duirng a community tree planting day while the local Green Team continues to press ahead with initiatives which include battery and ink-jet recycling and an “obnoxious fluids” collection for proper disposal.

About 160 local residents, armed with spades, trees, mulch mats and stakes trekked over muddy terrain to plant more than 350 trees.

The aim of the day was to create an area of new native woodland on an old poplar plantation.

Douglas Pike, chairman of the Cherry Wood project steering group, said: “It's a great privilege to be given the opportunity to design and plant a new wood and I am delighted that so many local people came with their spades to plant trees and be a part of the new wood.

“This special woodland site, is south facing, ranging from dry to very wet and includes a pond and a stream.”

Some of the trees planted came from the community woodland's tree nursery. Many of these trees were grown from seed by children from Stoke by Nayland Primary School.

A number of the children helped with the tree planting, along with their younger brothers and sisters.

The 350 trees planted on the day, included; holly, oak, cherry, alder, hazel, hawthorn, fruit trees, guelder rose, field maple, goat willow and ash.

The creation of native woodland is one part of wider project, which includes creating a pond and wetland on the adjacent meadow.

The removal of an area of poplar, marked the first stage of the project, which opened up views of Stoke by Nayland church as painted by Constable nearly 200 years ago.

This project has been part funded by the Dedham Vale AONB Sustainable Development Fund (SDF) - an innovative scheme to encourage individuals, community groups, schools businesses and parish councils to develop projects that are of benefit to the environment, economy and society within our most beautiful countryside.

The Friends of Cherry Wood often have task days and events. If you would like to join in, contact Mr Pike, tel. 01206 262098.

Meanwhile, Lyn Mash , spokeswoman for the local Green Team, tells me it is run by a core of about ten people but attracts up to 40 villagers to events it organises.

More than 700 old batteries had been collected in a box put out for the purpose.

The obnoxious fluid collection was aimed at encouraging people to safely get rid of poisons and other liquids which could not now be used by law or were surplus to requirements.

“You have to pay to get the council to take these way so we thought we would have a collection which would involve one charge, rather than individuals having to pay a charge each,” she said.

david.green@eadt.co.uk