UK: Wild orchard planted despite cold weather

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“At the moment the saplings are all around 40cm tall but we expect them to grow rapidly and by the summer people will be able to see the effect of the work."

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | UK Desk
Source/Credit:  South London Press
By South London Press | March 1, 2013

AN ARMY of volunteers turned out from a Muslim youth group to pepper a park with 500 new trees.

Members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association (AMYA) braved the chill and snow flurries on Friday to plant the saplings in Sydenham Wells Park, in Wells Park Road, Sydenham under the guidance of charity Trees for Cities.

Mayor of Lewisham Sir Steve Bullock also pitched in with more than 20 young volunteers to get the wild orchard trees planted.

The trees have been planted in small copses and along the perimiter of the park so that when they have reached maturity, they will shield the park from the road and surrounding businesses.

Shortly after finishing the job, youth leader Tariq Ahmad told the South London Press: “My hands are still freezing but we got them all planted.

“We had a really good turn-out from our young people.

“At the moment the saplings are all around 40cm tall but we expect them to grow rapidly and by the summer people will be able to see the effect of the work.

“We heard about Trees for Cities plans to plant 12,000 trees across London this year and offered to pay for the work in our area and provide the manpower. The council tell us where they want them and we want to get involved in the community.

“Trees for Cities told us they would like us to plant 400 trees. But I thought, you have to think big and said we would get 2,000 done in total.”

AMYA is the oldest Muslim youth service in the country. It is based in Morden but has branches across the country.

Trees for Cities was set up to provide more greenery in urban environment with the aim of improving the lives of thousands of people surrounded by bricks and concrete.

Email: newsdesk@slp.co.uk
All content © of South London Press unless stated otherwise.



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