Thatcham nursery children see ‘nature in action’ in tree planting event

The grass just got a little greener at a nursery in Thatcham as it has planted just under 100 new trees in its wild garden.

Around 25 parents and their children from the Tigers Day Nursery got stuck into the event held on the morning of March 23 and planted 90 saplings in a bid to create a greater space for “wildlife to thrive”.

For many of the children, aged between three months and five years, this would have been their first event of this nature following the coronavirus lockdowns and restrictions.

The saplings were provided by The Woodland Trust, which gives schools and nurseries the opportunity, twice a year, to apply for free trees.

There was a mixture of hedge and copse, including varieties such as silver birch, rowan, hazel, blackthorn and crab apple.

Operations manager Jane Tubb said: “We have been very lucky that our December 2021 application was successful, and we have 90 saplings to plant in our beautiful wild garden, to join the established trees we already have in the area.”

She went on to say: “Here at Tigers we all love spending time in our wild garden, running, exploring, relaxing and taking in the wonderful countryside and spending time with the horses in the field next door.

“Our new saplings will be an opportunity for all of our children to see nature in action and to learn how we care for living things.

“Our parents are as excited as we all are, and many have joined us to take part in our ‘plant the saplings activity’."

She said the event has created a space which children can enjoy for many years to come.

Tigers Day Nursery marketing specialist James Hearne said: "After Covid, it's a lovely thing to do for the environment but also involving the parents as everything is opening up more and more.

"Parents love to be involved in things. It is nice to have them."

The event ran from 9am to around 11am.