Festival plants tree as part of 50th year celebration

MEMBERS of the Wargrave Festival committee planted a tree in Kings Field to mark the 50th anniversary of the event.

Jo Smith, sustainability officer, joined committee chair Cath Forsaith and Jenny Herrington, of Green Room Garden Design, to plant an oak tree following the gold anniversary last year.

Mrs Herrington helped the committee members plant the tree near the Blakes Road entrance to the field.

Andy Meader, chair of Wargrave Cricket Club, allowed the group to plant the tree within the club’s hedge planting initiative, which saw more than 12 volunteers help plant 400 saplings donated by the Woodland Trust.

Mrs Smith said: “Since 1989, the Wargrave Festival committee has been conscious of its sustainability responsibilities and has been taking steps towards reducing its environmental footprint.

“A single oak tree will help clean pollution from the air, enhance local biodiversity and should absorb approximately 25kg of carbon dioxide each year which is at least a good contribution to offsetting some of the current festival emissions.” Mr Meader said he was pleased to see volunteers come together to benefit the village’s biodiversity.

He said: “Our main focus is cricket but we’re also very keen to have a positive impact on our environment. This has become increasingly important with the climate crisis we all face.

“The introduction of the new hedgerow will offer real biodiversity benefit in the years to come.”