Nature gets a boost at Darlington rugby and football ground

Blackwell Meadows in Grange Road, on the south of the town, which is the home of Darlington Rugby Club and also hosts Darlington Football Club, has had 2,900 new saplings planted since work began just before Christmas.

The final 100 young trees are expected to be planted before the end of January around the ground's practice field perimeters.

And the planting drive, led by the Darlington Forest Project, is expected to eventually help create a wildlife corridor linking up other surrounding green areas.

Roz Henderson, one of the founders of the Forest Project, joined volunteers and members of the rugby club in getting the planting of the 40cm to 80cm saplings underway and has overseen the spread of the green border.

She said: “It’s great that the rugby club has done this and, over the years, this will be of real benefit to the local environment of Darlington.

“We’d like to thank the Tree Council for their contribution of £1,800, which has enabled us to carry out this project.”

Volunteers Kendra Ullyart, of Friends of the Earth, Darlington RFC club president Andy Gunnell, club captain Darren Hoare, Darlington Forest Project’s Roz Henderson and RFC club chair Tom Miller with youngsters Daisy Anderson, six, Harry Anderson,

Rugby club president, Andy Gunnell, said: “We’re delighted to be doing our bit to help the environment of Darlington.

“This is a big area of land on the edge of town which will benefit and not only will it help in terms of woodland, it will also help wildlife locally and provide food and shelter for animals and birds.

Darlington RFC club captain, Darren Hoare, who helped launch the tree planting, said: “I think it’s a brilliant idea.

“As well as helping environmentally, it might also be handy for the sports club in a few years time too, with the trees growing and the area knitting together to provide natural wind-breaks around the pitches.”

3,000 trees are being planted at Blackwell Meadows, Darlington