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The Champion • Wednesday 2 October 2013
Council launches Free
Tree Scheme again
Residents invited to help improve environment
Report by Henry James
KEEN gardeners are being invited to
take advantage of West Lancs
Council’s Free Tree Scheme which
was launched again on October 1.
The Free Tree Scheme, first
introduced in October 2008, aims to
improve the borough’s environment
and attract more wildlife into our
gardens by encouraging residents to
plant more trees.
Since then, more than 760 residents
have taken up the council’s offer to
plant free trees resulting in about
4,500 new trees being planted
throughout the borough.
The council wants to encourage
people to grow more fruit trees in
their gardens. Fruit trees are very
much part of the area’s heritage; they
attract wildlife and are well–suited to
smaller domestic gardens.
Residents who take part this year can
choose one of three different varieties
of native fruit tree – Bramley Apple,
Victoria Plum or Conference Pear.
Trees provided under the scheme
will be two to three years old and will
be about 1.5 metres tall.
For residents who don’t want a fruit
tree this year, the council is also
offering an option of a
‘wildlife/hedging’ pack.
This will be a pre–packed bundle of
25 small whips made up of 10
hawthorn, five rowan, five blackthorn
and five hazel. These can be used to
create a short section of new hedge,
close gaps in an existing hedge or
create a wildlife corner in a garden.
ATTRACTIVE
The council has said many species of
birds, bats and insects require the
habitat created by planting groups of
trees or hedges and the species in this
pack will be perfect for attracting
wildlife back into local gardens.
Councillor Martin Forshaw, portfolio
holder for planning, said: “Building
W
on the success of last year, we want to
continue to encourage residents to
help make West Lancashire an even
more attractive place to live. So,
whatever the size of your garden, why
not take up our great offer and plant a
tree or hedge this autumn?”
To find out more and apply, visit
www.westlancs.gov.uk/trees before
Friday, October 25, or email
dave.thornber@westlancs.gov.uk or
roland.jones@westlancs.gov.uk
After that date those who are
successful will be informed where and
when to collect their trees. If demand
is high restrictions may be placed on
the type and size of tree provided
under the scheme.
Trees will be allocated in time for
planting during National Tree Week
2013, which runs from November 23
to December 1.
Trees provided under the scheme are
only available to local residents and
must be planted in the borough. The
council also provides a guide showing
how to plant and look after your trees.
LATHOM Parish Council has
received a grant from
Lancashire County to help fund
the setting up of a website –
with help from the county’s
‘parish champion’, County
Councillor Mike Otter.
Councillor Otter provides an
important link with parish and
town councils to let them know
about funding opportunities.
He also assists the county
council leader and respective
portfolio holders by advising on
ways to sustain and improve
effective working relationships
between the county council and
Visit us @ www.ChampNews.com • 9
County grant helps parish
council set up website
By Danielle Thompson
local authorities.
Lathom Parish Council
chairperson, Julia Paggs said:
“As Lathom is a widespread yet
quite small community the
councillors welcomed the
opportunity to become more
approachable to the people of
Lathom from the comfort of
their own homes.
“It will also provide
information about Lathom to
potential visitors to the area.
“The web page incorporates
businesses, historic details and
maps of the area, as well as the
council’s contact details and
details of their meetings.”
You can view the website at
lathomparishcouncil.co.uk
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