Winchester MP joins National Trust volunteers to plant trees

Danny Chambers helped plant hawthorn and blackthorn trees in the Hinton Ampner estate on Friday, March 6.

This helps the estate get closer to its target of creating a woodland of 100,000 trees by 2030. The organisation is doing this by both planting trees and allowing some to naturally regenerate across the site, that was previously worked by Manor Farm and NT tenant Charlie Flindt

Dr Chambers said: “I’ve really enjoyed taking part. I love being outside and working in nature. Obviously, I’m from a farming background and planting trees and hedges is something I’ve been doing my whole life, so I absolutely love it.

“I think it is so inspiring and exciting that local people get involved and be part of these nature restoration projects, because these trees we are planting today will be around longer than the rest of us, and you are leaving it for future generations, you are improving the landscape, the environment, it is important that people feel brought into these projects and understand what’s happening and they can feel involved as well, so that means everyone cares about it more.”

Also present was Cllr Jonathan Williams, ward councillor for Bishop’s Waltham. He said: “It is fantastic to see so many volunteers coming out. On the personal level, I work in an office all day in an old chalk quarry, so I hardly see the sunlight, so even though the rain has started, it’s nice to be out in the open.”

Danny Chambers MP (left) and Cllr Jonathan Williams (Image: Chris Atkinson)

The volunteers at the tree planting were a mix of Winchester Rotary members and other members of the public.

Winchester Rotary president Mark Butcher, who helped to organise some of the volunteers, said: “I am so pleased and so amazed with how organised the National Trust team are. We just rock up, and it’s all ready to go. We do not need to bring any tools or items; we just get our assignments, and away we go.”

Mark added that the majority of the volunteers had come from outside the Rotary Club, and added that patients from Friars Gate Surgery with mental health problems were also volunteering their time.

Lee Hulin, countryside manager for the Hinton Ampner Estate, said that the most recent round of planting means that the project is 5,000 to 6,000 trees away from reaching its planting goal.

He said: “A huge thank you to everyone who has got involved. It is inspiring to see everyone get involved. We know it is beneficial for everyone’s health and well-being.”