Around 25 Midsomer Norton Scouts (B Troop) teamed-up with Bath & North East Somerset Council to begin planting 1,000 trees and shrubs along the new Five Arches cycleway on Saturday 21st January.

The section they concentrated on coppicing the trees was Silver Street which was recently awarded Green Flag status for the quality of its environment. The work will be continued next Saturday by the Midsomer Norton Beavers.

The coppicing will help to re-invigorate the woodland floras, making a more beautiful and diverse woodland that improves the environment for both people's enjoyment and the woodland eco-system. The healthy floras are a valuable nectar source for invertebrates which in turn are food for birds and other animals. The project is helping to encourage healthy food chains/webs by doing this.

The Council's Arboricultural Team, led by Mark Cassidy, led the green fingered youngsters with the help of Scout and Beaver Leaders Ralph Jefferis and Catherine Josham.

Councillor David Dixon (Lib-Dem, Oldfield), Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said, "It is excellent that nearly fifty Scouts and Beavers over these weekends are volunteering their time to plant these trees that Bath & North East Somerset Council are providing for the community. The quality of the Midsomer Norton environment is being enhanced and this effort between community and Council is creating neighbourhoods where people are proud to live."

Ralph Jefferis Leader of Midsomer Norton Scouts (B Troop) said, "The Scouts put a lot of hard work and effort into the coppicing. They found it very rewarding to take part in shaping the future of their community because they are set to be the generation that benefits from these environmental improvements."

Catherine Josham Leader of Midsomer Norton Beavers said, "We are really looking forward to building on the work by the Scouts next Saturday with the help of the Council. The newly planted trees represent an investment in the sustainable development of our local community and the Beavers are proud to be playing their part. "

For more information on 1st Midsomer Norton Scout Group, contact Group Scout Leader, Clare Spearman, on 07967 666982 or visit the Group website at www.nortonscouts.net

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