On Sunday 3rd December, a group of over 40 local residents put the finishing touches to the planting of 8 native British trees in a ceremony that marked the official start of the Northcote Nature Reserve project.
The new trees - Common Hawthorn, Strawberry (Arbutus) and Whitebeam all have blossom and berries and have been chosen not only to be bird and bee-friendly, but to fit in with the scale of the proposed landscaping and other planting.
With help from local All Souls Church, we acquired the trees free of charge through the Trees for Sacred Spaces project, which is supported by the Mayor of London.
The Rev Richard Frank attended the ceremony and spoke of the significance of the project for All Souls and the Church.
Friends of Northcote Nature Reserve Chair Vanessa Smith said the aim was to create a space that would be enjoyed by all in the local community, from dog walkers and children to elderly people, local schools and nurseries.
The ceremony coincided with the launch of our free Membership, which enables everyone who supports the new Nature Reserve to stay in touch with developments as they happen and hear about events that will help to shape the new Nature Reserve.