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The first of some 1,200 trees destined for six Thanet sites have been planted today (January 11) at Dane Park.
The event started with a launch by the fountain, attended by BBC Gardeners World presenter Frances Tophill, Margate mayor Mick Tomlinson, North Thanet MP Sir Roger Gale and Tony Freudmann from part-funders RiverOak Strategic Partners.
Refreshments were provided from Dane Park Bowls Club.
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Planting in three areas at the park takes place until 2pm. Anyone who wants to take part is welcome to turn up between those times.
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The £1million project is headed up by new group The Isle of Thanet Trees and Woods Initiative (ITTWI) after it successfully secured £525,000 from the Urban Tree Challenge Fund – overseen by the Forestry Commission – plus £100,000 funding support from RiverOak Strategic Partners. alongside £430,000 labour ‘in kind,’from volunteers making a total project value of £1,055,000.
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The group is made up of isle teacher and Thanet Community Forest School founder Luke Evans, Colourful Margate lead Stephanie Nsom; Peter Hasted of the Sunken Garden Revival project; Steve Darling of Dane Valley Woods and Thanet councillor Ash Ashbee.
The ITTWI project will plant trees across Dane Valley Woods; George Park; Dane Park; The Sunken Gardens Westbrook;Dane Valley Green and the Dane Valley Woods old landfill site.