Volunteers working with a local tree planing group have reached a major milestone by planting their 1,000th tree.

Trees for Wigton, known as TWIG, had the help of 17 volunteers across six locations in and around Wigton during November and December.

With trees and training supplied by the Woodland Trust, over eight days the group braved sun, win and rain to plant a variety of native species trees.

The locations included a mini-nature reserve of 450 tress at Wigton allotments which included a mix of larger trees such as limes and oaks, surrounded by flowering shrubs and fruit trees to attract insects, birds and wildlife.

In the next five years, the group hopes to establish bee hives there which should further help pollinate fruit and vegetables in the plots nearby.

Elsewhere, with help from TWIG, nearly 50 trees were planted by school children at Wigton Infant School during their weekly forest school sessions.

TWIG leader, Nick Robson, said: “The group will continue to work with local schools during 2021 when pupils at Wigton Infant School and St.Cuthbert’s will plant trees at a number of sites across Wigton. We’re hoping that every child will have the chance to plant at least one tree.”

Other projects included three sites up by Burblethwaite Farm on the Caldbeck Fells.

Nick was especially happy to help out a local farmer, explaining: "By planing trees up on the feels we're providing shelter for the farmer's animals, improving habitat for local wildlife, and helping to reduce flooding in lower lying areas.

"We'd love to do more with local farmers - if anyone would like us to improve hedges or help plan woodland, do get in touch."

The group was first set up in October when Nick had a number of projects in mind that they hoped will benefit the community of Wigton as well as three or four others near Wigton, including one on Caldbeck fells.

Talking at the time about the new group Nick said: "I’ve been working with Wigton town council and initially they were looking at a site they already started work on called Speet Gill. There is other land dotted round the town and they want to spruce it up and this was around the same time I was looking at setting a tree planting group up.

“These projects round Wigton are in the centre and when we plant them up it will be creating a pathway and a network through the town.”

The priority of the work will be in Wigton but then they will look to branch out after that, however, more volunteers are needed.

The group are always looking for more volunteers to join them.

It doesn’t matter how much time you can offer, even if it’s only half a day this would still help the group.

When the group was first set him Nick spoke about the projects he had in mind. He said: “One of the projects is Speet Gill, it’s close to Wigton Baths and a lot of people use the site, and we want to bring it to a wild park.

“The next project is adjacent to the allotments so we have an acre site that is lying there dormant and would become a nature reserve.

“Another one is Phoenix Park where there is a field where we can plant about 3,000 trees. We’re going to put some trails in there.

“The last project is in East End Park we are going to put some hedging up there that will become a natural play environment.”

In the New Year, in addition to working with the local schools and in some of Wigton’s parkland, TWIG is actively looking for new projects. If you own land and are interested in having trees planted – or would like to volunteer with TWIG – contact Nick via weloveplanting.com or 07770 854922.