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BBC News
08-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
More than 700,000 trees planted in Surrey under initiative
More than 700,000 trees planted in Surrey 13 minutes ago Share Save Share Save Surrey County Council Children and adults have been creating orchards in Surrey as part of the initiative More than 700,000 trees have been planted in Surrey as the county council aims for 1.2 million saplings by 2030. In the past year, Surrey County Council said its initiative had created about 49,000 new trees and hedgerows. This brings the total number of trees planted to 768,832 since 2019 – more than halfway to the county's target of planting one tree for every Surrey resident. A range of community projects have been supporting the challenge. Surrey County Council Community projects across Surrey have helped get the county more than half way towards achieving its planting goal Staff at the Mullard Space Science Laboratory in Dorking took part in a workshop, planting 20 fruit trees and three young oak trees in a new orchard. Pupils on the eco council at Broadwater School in Waverley learned about the importance of trees and planted 753 trees to create a "reflection area". Meanwhile, an orchard of 10 fruit trees was created at Goldsworth Park Medical Centre in Woking as part of the NHS Forest scheme, which aims to transform green spaces within healthcare sites to improve health, wellbeing and biodiversity. Marisa Heath, Surrey County Council's cabinet member for environment, said: "Trees play a vital role in enhancing the appearance of Surrey's green spaces, while also strengthening our climate resilience. "We couldn't do this alone, so I thank all the partners, communities and residents who support this initiative. I encourage you to continue to do so to achieve our target for the benefit of our communities and future generations to come." Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook, on X and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.
Daily Record
05-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Volunteers dig in for green vision at Paisley's Royal Alexandra Hospital
The efforts from those that gathered were aimed at transforming a section of the hospital into a green space to fulfil the dream of the site's founding father. More than 60 volunteers gathered at the Royal Alexandra Hospital (RAH) in Paisley to help transform green space and fulfil the dream of the site's founding father. The project was inspired by one of the ambitions of the hospital's designers, the late Ian Plenderleath. The volunteers – made up of staff past and present, families and friends – planted 300 native trees. Among the participants was Tommy MacDonald, the son of RAH staff member Chris MacDonald, who celebrated his seventh birthday by planting his own tree. The majority of the saplings, supplied by the NHS Forest initiative, were planted along the 'glass corridor' that links many clinical and staff areas while others were planted on grassed areas around the hospital grounds. As they mature, the trees will be visible from throughout the hospital – in particular, the planting along the glass corridor which is overlooked by a number of wards. In the original designs for the hospital, architect Mr Plenderleath had imagined this key route throughout the hospital as a 'green walkway' and, in coming years, this vision will become reality. The planting project was the brainchild of Dr Lucy Thomas, consultant in emergency medicine (Clyde sector) at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC). She said: 'I saw an advert for NHS Forest – and even though it was mainly for NHS England, I thought I'd apply. 'At first, we were turned down, but in December, I received an email saying we'd been accepted and would be receiving 300 trees – and all we would need to do is plant them.' In all, Lucy and the team received 11 different native species, along with stakes, ties, wildlife screens and matting to ensure the saplings would get the best start in life. 'There was quite a buzz on the day,' Lucy added. 'People brought teas and coffees, cakes and snacks so there was a great atmosphere and it really brought staff from all departments, and from all levels, together. 'People of all ages came along to help – and some of the young volunteers will be able to keep an eye on the progress of 'their' trees as they mature.' As part of its initiative, NHS Forest provides a page for the RAH planting project on its website so staff will be able to keep the community updated on the progress of the trees. Fiona Roche, greenspace officer at NHSGGC, said: 'The health and wellbeing benefits of greenspace are well known so it is great to see this project take place as part of our wider commitment to the whole community, as well as our patients, visitors and staff. 'I would like to thank Lucy for her work in organising this project, all the volunteers for giving up their time and NHS Forest for making it possible. 'The trees will likely outlive all of us so it is wonderful that an architect's original vision has finally become reality, and that it will be such a positive legacy for future generations.'
