GUIDES KEEP THEIR WILLOW WEED-FREE

Thanks to hard work by members of Girlguiding Nottinghamshire, 900 young willow trees are now weed-free in Rushcliffe Country Park in Ruddington. Instead of going on their usual summer camp, the 10th West Bridgford Guides decided to stay closer to home this year and took part in a different activity each day for the last week of the summer holidays. Their day in Rushcliffe Country Park was spent clearing the weeds and clipping the grass from around the saplings, which they had planted in February 2010 to mark the centenary of Girlguiding.
Guider Wendy Walker said: “We had a lovely dry day for our weeding. It was such a change from the wet and windy weather we battled when we did the planting, and the girls were delighted to find that most of the trees are still alive.”
The 20 or so members of 10th West Bridgford Guides meet weekly on Rectory Road in West Bridgford. The tree planting was one of the tasks undertaken for their special centenary badge and has helped to create a coppice of willow and hazel in Rushcliffe Country Park’s new ‘Friends Field’. Over time, the area will develop into a habitat for flowers and wildlife while providing a renewable source of stakes and binding for use elsewhere.
Park ranger, Zoe Fordham, added: “I have been really impressed by the enthusiasm and hard work put in by the guides. They’re welcome back any time, whether to work or to just enjoy the growing natural environment which they’re helping to create.”
Girlguiding Nottinghamshire County Commissioner, Kate Royse, invites more adults to come forward to keep opportunities such as this open for as many girls as possible across the county. She can be contacted via Girlguiding Nottinghamshire headquarters on 0115 987 7220, e-mail secretary@girlguidingnottinghamshire.org.uk or visit girlguidingnottinghamshire.org.uk.