ONE hundred trees will be planted at a primary school as a lasting memorial to Crewe war heroes.

To mark the centenary of the First World War, St Michael’s Community Academy will be planting 100 trees in clusters around its school field – one for each year that has passed since the outbreak.

Pupils will help decide where the trees will be planted and community planting sessions will be held with one year group at a time. Parents will also be invited into school to help their children plant the trees.

The saplings will grow to create a new woodland, hedgerows and memorial areas and will be a lasting tribute to all those who made sacrifices in the First World War to secure a brighter future for the next generation.

St Michael’s Community Academy is one of many schools and community groups across the country taking part in the The First World War Centenary Woods project.

The project is being led by the Woodland Trust and the conservation charity will be supplying the Holland Street school with the saplings through its Free Trees scheme.

John Tucker, the Woodland Trust’s woodland creation director, said: “It is wonderful to hear about the tree planting events and the touching stories about the war heroes they’re set to give thanks to.

“Whether planted for a family member, former school pupil or well-loved member of a community, each tree will represent a special individual or group of people.

“Currently the UK has significantly less woodland cover than the rest of Europe. Tree planting events help us work toward our target of doubling the amount of native woodland we have, and what better way of securing future woodland cover than by dedicating trees to and creating woods for those who sacrificed so much for us during the First World War.”

For more information on how to dedicate a tree, the Woodland Trust’s Centenary Wood project and Free Trees scheme, visit woodlandtrust.org.uk

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