North Wilts Friends of the Earth sponsored cycle ride to Chepstow, and tree planting project for 2010.

As part of a North Wilts Friends of the Earth membership recruitment / publicity drive it was agreed at our A.G.M. in September 2009 that we should promote some local projects that everyone could get involved with. This was in compliment with the current campaigning work that the group have been promoting under the Chairmanship of Stephen Eades.

In conjunction with National Tree Week it was proposed that we find suitable sites for tree planting that would not be affected by medium / long term development and that were easy to maintain, so several landowners were approached with this in mind.

Unfortunately the responses were too late for the 2009 season, but by March 2010 we had five landowners who were happy for us to use their land, including Calne Town Council, Abbeyfield School, Chippenham Borough Lands and two private landowners.

In order to purchase the necessary trees needed for these sites we started to apply for suitable grants, but were conscious that we also needed to raise some money within the group towards this.

The sponsored cycle ride from Chippenham to Chepstow was proposed and Nigel Lambden and myself volunteered to cycle the 40 miles or so from the Market Place, Chippenham to Chepstow Castle in Wales.

The 5^th June was dry and warm. We were met at the Buttercross by Stephen, Maureen and the gentleman from the Bird’s Marsh Wood campaigning group. After some photos for the local paper the bell of St.Andrew’s Church rang at 9a.m. and we set off.

Our journey went well, and before long we’d stopped at Wiltshire Wood ReCycling in Castle Combe and onwards through Burton, Tormarton, Frampton Cotterell and the lovely village of Tockington.

The hill down to Olveston revealed my first glimpse of the old Severn Bridge and a really heart-warming feeling that we were actually going to make it!

At Severn View Services we were met by Clive and two colleagues from Chepstow Friends of the Earth who kindly escorted us over the bridge and onwards to Chepstow Castle where we met other members of their group and the Mayor of Chepstow Mrs. Marian Lewis.

Along the whole journey I had been carrying a three year old Oak tree that Stephen had kindly donated. This was then presented to Marian Lewis to plant somewhere in the Chepstow area. An English Oak for a Welsh Mayor, and a fitting end to what was a wonderful day.

To date we have now raised £384 towards the project, which is enough to purchase two hundred English Oak trees. However all donations are gratefully received. This may well become an annual event, so with your help we can expand the project next year.

The Pictures

All cheques can be made payable to North Wilts Friends of the Earth and sent to:

Peter Williams, 4 Christopher Drive, Chippenham, Wiltshire. SN15 3UT.