Remembrance Woodlands are being planted all over the UK to remember the hundreds of thousands of young men who were killed during the First World War; and now, with the permission of Merton Council, local residents have planted a Remembrance Woodland in Wandle Park to remember the 240 young men from Colliers Wood who died in WW1.
Sustainable Merton joined local residents, the Mayor of Merton, children from Singlegate School, Merton Tree Wardens and members of Friends of the Earth to help with the planting, which took place between 16th-19th April.
The 240 trees were a gift from the Woodland Trust to the community building group “Making Colliers Wood Happy!”. The native species include hazel, wild cherry and silver birch and will provide “all year round colour”, as well as help to improve air quality and enhance bio-diversity.
What does the Remembrance Woodland mean to the community?
Keith Spears, founder and coordinator of “MCWH!”, fought for permission to plant the woodland and states that “It is absolutely wonderful to see it finally done”.
Raoul de Bunsen, from Abbey Road, said “as an ex-serviceman, it’s a privilege and an honour to plant trees in memory of those who fought and died in the First World War”.
” This Woodland brings life from death, and will help to mitigate against climate change” – Auriel Glanville, coordinator of Merton Friends of the Earth.
Local historian Diane Holmes, who planted trees with her 10 year old son Adam, said that they were delighted to be part of such a significant and historic event.
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