Tree-mendous effort by U3A volunteers

Volunteers from Plymouth U3A have planted over 500 trees on National Trust land in Plymbridge Woods to create a lasting legacy to mark the 40th anniversary of the national organisation’s founding.

Plymouth U3A members took their spades and shovels and met up with National Trust area ranger Chris Acraman and his team, who guided the volunteers to the planting area.

Chris explained that the whips (young trees) were a mix of different varieties suitable for wet woodland, including alder, aspen, silver birch, buckthorn, and willow. As they grow, the area will develop into scrubland that will be a perfect habitat for ground-nesting birds.

Plymouth U3A chair Marilyn Lean, a self- confessed pots and window boxes sort of person, said the idea of tree-planting had been generated in response to an initiative by the national organisation as part of its 40th anniversary celebrations.

She said: “We saw it as a way of making a positive contribution to the local ecology.”

Nationally, the U3A was founded in 1982 and has grown steadily since then. In the UK there are over 1,000 separate groups encompassing well over 400,000 individuals. Plymouth U3A, with around 800 members, is the largest in the South West, but new recruits are always given a warm welcome. With an eclectic mix of some 80 subject groups from Ancient History to Walking Groups there should be something for everyone. Full details, including an application form, can be found at: www.plymouthu3a.org.uk