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.
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.
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.
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.
