A campaigner from Marnhull has saved 150 oak saplings from being mulched – and found them all homes around her village.

Ros Eveleigh bought up the saplings at a reduced rate from BCP council after a project that was set to use them didn’t go ahead. The trees are now being planted all over the area, with 60 being planted near Duncliffe Woods, 20 near Thyme after Time and others in people’s hedges. Dorset Dairy have also taken some.

Ros said: “The trees were from Wrexham and BCP council acquired 5,200 of them. I just happened to see it on a Verwood Facebook page. I put a post on Facebook and had 65 people wanting them, so I asked for extras and people have been in and out of my garden picking them up.”

“I bought the first 100 for £25, got another 50 when someone pulled out and we sold them for a pound each, raising money for Marnhull Green Teams, a community group looking at environmental issues.”

She added: “If we get enough support I’m happy to put in another order.
They won’t be as cheap, but we could consider another bulk buy of trees if enough people want them.”

Ros is a member of the North Dorset Lib Dems, and other members are expanding on her initiative. Mike Chapman, deputy chairman of North Dorset Lib Dems, and campaigner Bernie Sullivan are also members of Bourton Wildlife and Habitat and they are coordinating the placement of 250 trees of mixed species, bought by Sue Rankin to offer to landowners in the village area.

Anyone in the Bourton area can apply to home some of the trees by emailing bernardsullivan2001@gmail.com or michaelbrianchapman@gmail.com.

Mike said: “We’re trying to do the same in Bourton now. These successful pilots demonstrate the ‘action on the ground’ approach being fostered by the NDLD team. It is hoped this will now lead to further tree-planting initiatives, pump-primed by NDLD and using the extensive network of community-minded members and supporters across North Dorset.”

The Lib Dem group are also looking forward to finally opening their Community Fridge project in The Emporium in Sturminster Newton as soon as lockdown conditions allow. The initiative aims to tackle food waste and there will be no charge for any of the food. Lib Dems across the Blackmore Vale raised the necessary funds and backing for this in just a few weeks.

Support Us

Thank you all so, so much for the love and appreciation you’ve shown us since we launched the New Blackmore Vale.

Please show your support and add a review on our Facebook page or on Google.