Following the deliberate destruction of a newly planted hedgerow at Monkmoor River Ground last year, Shrewsbury Town Council will be re-planting the hedgerow next week.
Last year, weed killer had been used to spray almost the entire length of hedgerow, killing around 500 newly planted trees, including the taller ‘standards’ that had been grown in pots for several years.
Twelve months on from the original planting, staff and volunteers from Shrewsbury Town Council’s Countryside and Greenspace Team, working with a group of volunteers from Shropshire Wildlife Trust and local school children from Crowmoor Primary School, and students form Severndale School, the hedgerow will be re-planted at Monkmoor River Ground on February 26.
Matt Wilcoxon, countryside and greenspace team leader at Shrewsbury Town Council, said: “It was devastating to see the willful destruction last year, but we have worked hard in the intervening period to get everyone on board to help replant this vital hedge to help our wildlife in the Monkmoor area.
“We are more than happy to welcome anyone who wants to come along and help us on 26 February from around 10am. No experience is necessary and we will provide all the equipment and advice necessary to help us replant this hedgerow.”
Helen Ball, town clerk for Shrewsbury Town Council, added: “Our staff and volunteers had worked so hard to plant this hedgerow last year and it was distressing to see that someone had deliberately set out to destroy all this hard work.
“We are delighted that so many people have rallied to help us replace this hedgerow, which will provide a vital habitat for local wildlife and would call on anyone to come along and help out on the day.”
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