Your chance to plant a tree in Dewsbury’s Diamond Wood

And local people are being invited to pitch in by planting saplings around the site.

The first in a series of community tree planting events were held at the site off Park Road, Ravensthorpe, last Friday.

The saplings being planted will eventually form one of only 60 Diamond Wood’s in the country and the largest new woodland in Yorkshire.

The wood will also be a major part of the new country park, which is being developed on a former landfill site between Ravensthorpe, Heckmondwike and Dewsbury Moor.

Coun Cathy Scott, cabinet member for place, said: “There has already been a fantastic response from local residents, with both young and old getting involved in planting the new Diamond Wood.

“I would urge anyone who hasn’t visited the site and planted a tree to take this opportunity and leave a legacy which they can watch grow over the coming years.”

The next events are today and Saturday, 10.30am-3.30pm.

Volunteers are welcome to call in at any time, and are advised to wear wellies and waterproofs.

The planting site is signposted from the site entrance at the end of Park Road in Ravensthorpe.

Phone Jane Halladay at Groundwork Leeds on 0113 238 0601 for more details.

Meanwhile, community groups or local business can get involved by contacting Kirklees Council countryside officer Simon Pedley at [email protected].

Want to know what to expect? Check out our video of Nick Elliot and Daniel Blacker planting trees with John Cummins from Groundwork Leeds last Friday.