Joy as new trees planted at Wednesbury's Brunswick Park
Members of a community rolled up their sleeves to plant new trees in a Black Country park.
Twelve trees have been planted at Brunswick Park, Wednesbury, after a campaign by a friends group.
A selection of different tree species were planted to diversify the park's population including Foxglove, Indian Bean and American Sweetgum.
A handful of trees were also felled as they had been vandalised. The trees were planted by members of Friends of Brunswick Park, Inner Wheel Club of Wednesbury and members of a faith group.
Ian McDermott, chairman of Friends of Brunswick Park, said: "It was a great day where members of the community came together to plant trees in the park.
"Some of the trees were felled as they had been vandalised. It was important to plant new species of trees to diversify the park's population. The new trees will also help tackle pollution.
“We’re really grateful to South Staffs Water for the grant from the PEBBLE fund.
"We would not have been able to replace these trees without the grant and we feel it is essential that the benefits of the trees are not lost for the next generation.”
The Friends of Brunswick Park group approached Sandwell Council and South Staffs Water for funding.
The water board provided £5,000 for the project and this was match-funded by Sandwell Council, said the group's chairman, Ian McDermott.
The tree planting session, on Wednesday, proved a fitting date as this week is National Tree Week.
Brunswick Park is a grade two registered Green Flag Park .
The felled trees, located in the centre of the park, needed removing for safety reasons.
Phil Newland, Managing Director at South Staffs Water, said: “We recognise that we must help protect and improve areas for wildlife and plants in the places where we operate.
"Our PEBBLE fund aims to help local groups do that.
"Trees are so important to biodiversity but they do much more; improving air quality and conserving water as well as enhancing communities.
"So we’re very pleased to have been able to help the Friends of Brunswick Park.”
A Sandwell Council spokesperson said: "We have provided support to the Friends of Brunswick Park by helping to plant and look after new trees and the publishing a tree trail.
"Officers have worked closely with the Friends to decide on the choice of species and location of trees. This is a great example of the council working with a local group to benefit the community and environment, at no cost to the community itself."
