Kirklees Together

Throughout autumn, volunteers have been out in full force to help grow Mellor and Molly Carr Woods, important pockets of ancient woodland beside Castle Hill. 

At the end of October, 50 of the Scouts youngest recruits aged 4 to 6 began collecting fallen acorns. The aptly named ‘Squirrels’ used their acorns to plant the first seeds of the season.   

Groups of volunteers have continued to plant seedlings, and this weekend saw the biggest turnout yet with 130 Scouts and Cubs from the local area challenging themselves to plant a thousand trees in a day.  

The Scouts dug holes, carried trees, wheel-barrowed dirt, and enjoyed plenty of warm hot-chocolates! And despite the heavy rain, they planted enough trees to fill a football pitch! 

Cllr Amanda Pinnock, Cabinet Member for Communities and Environment said: 

“A huge congratulations to the local Scouts and Cubs – what an achievement! Over the years they can watch the trees grow, and once they’re adults, they’ll see a woodland in its place. 

“As well as working with the Scouts, we have also invited community groups, schools and the university to get involved. This woodland will be a product of the community and it’s something for local people to be proud of.” 

West Yorkshire Scouts said: 

“The Scouts are all really excited to be involved, and it has been great to see them get stuck in. 

“Over the last two years, Scouts across West Yorkshire have been taking part in eco-projects, from litter clearing, to learning about the origin of their food, and of course, tree planting. This is all part of our ‘Protect the Planet’ project where the Scouts are encouraged to think about their own impact on the planet and the part they can play to protect it.” 

Volunteers working with Kirklees Council’s Woodland Development Team this autumn and winter aim to plant around 20 hectares of woodland across Kirklees as part of the White Rose Forest tree planting programme, either by creating new woodland, expanding existing woodland, or connecting ancient woodland like Mellor and Molly Carr Woods. 

Ancient woodland takes hundreds of years to establish and is our richest and most biodiverse land habitat. Every new tree planted around Mellor and Molly Carr Woods is helping to protect and connect this precious natural asset.  

Most of the planting will have taken place in Almondbury, but, working with Friends of Groups and members of the public, native broadleaf trees will also be planted in Greenhead, Newsome and Dewsbury.  

There are still plenty of opportunities to get involved in tree planting – see what’s coming up on Kirklees Council’s Parks and Greenspace’s Eventbrite page. 

Growing a community forest for North and West Yorkshire 

Kirklees Council tree planting initiatives are led by the council’s Woodland Development Team, working with communities and supported and funded by the White Rose Forest through their Trees for Climate programme. 

The White Rose Forest is the Community Forest for North and West Yorkshire and works in partnership with local communities, businesses, charities and Defra organisations to plant and manage trees and woodland where they are needed the most for the benefit of people and nature.