Tree planting at popular Hartlepool Country Park

Ten pupils and two teachers from St Aidan's Church of England Memorial Primary School were on hand to help with the tree planting at Hartlepool Council’s Summerhill Country Park.

The pupils – who were all members of St Aidan’s Worship Council – were also joined by the Reverend Gemma Sampson.

On behalf of Summerhill – which is a 100 acre Country Park off Catcote Road - the Friends of Hartlepool’s Wild Green Spaces group has applied for and received donations of trees from the Woodland Trust.

Staff and volunteers at Summerhill encourage local schools to get involved in tree planting so that they learn about green spaces and are more likely to look after the environment in the future.

Adam Reah, from Summerhill Country Park and Visitor Centre, said: “Environmental education is very important.

“We find that the vast majority of young people in Hartlepool really do care about green issues and it was fantastic to see children from St Aidan’s Worship Council helping out.”

Reverend Gemma Sampson, St Aidan’s curate, said: “We’re working to become an International Cross of Nails School (ICON).

“ICON status would mean we are part of an increasing network of schools around the world that have recognised the opportunity for introducing the principles of reconciliation into their school community. 

“As part of our work to become an ICON school, we have been looking for exciting projects to get involved with and this seemed like a great opportunity to teach our young people about ways to protect the environment for future users.”

To find out more about Summerhill Country Park and Visitor Centre visit www.hartlepool.gov.uk/summerhill