A HOST of volunteers have planted a wood to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee last year and provide a clean environment for future generations.
Hundreds of trees were planted at the North East Lincolnshire Council-owned open space at The Saltings, in Westward Ho, thanks to the volunteers.
They represented a number of groups, including Grimsby, Immingham and Cleethorpes In Bloom committees, Grimsby, Cleethorpes and District Civic Society, The Rotary Club, of Grimsby, and the Duke Of Edinburgh Award's scheme, as well as local residents.
Tia Hagan, 5, of Church View, Grimsby, was frozen stiff by the Arctic blast which swept North East Lincolnshire on Saturday morning, but it did not deter her as she planted trees with her mum Alison, 33.
Alison remembered planting trees 25 years ago at her primary school on the Yarborough estate, Grimsby.
She said: "Every time I go to work I pass the trees and think how I helped plant them and it's nice to think they have benefited everyone.
"It has been good fun today. We like being outdoors. We will do it again next Saturday, too."
Tia, of Yarborough Academy, said: "I think I will decorate the ones I've planted so I know which ones they are."
North East Lincolnshire Council ecology officer Mike Sleight said the Saltings' planting was one of several throughout the borough, where 60,000 trees will be planted as part of the Jubilee celebrations.
He said: "It is next to the wood we planted for the Millennium with the help of Austin Mitchell MP.
"Because of the flooding around here we are planting willows and alders, which will soak up water.
"We will also have oak and Scots pine and wild cherry. They are all native species."
Chairman of Immingham In Bloom Stewart Swinburn said: "Thanks to the volunteers, we are planting more than 2,000 each time.
"People have come from all over, as well as residents nearby. We have representatives of all the three In Bloom committes for Immingham, Grimsby and Cleethorpes all working together.
"Trees are good for the environment."
Chairman of Grimsby In Bloom Elaine Atkinson said: "We want to promote the feeling people enjoy when they are planting trees. It is for future generations to enjoy.
"It also shows In Bloom is not just about pretty flowers, it is also about planting for everyone's future."
Volunteers were urged to join the next planting session, at Coomb Briggs, Immingham ,from 11am to 1pm, on Saturday.
More coverage will appear in the Grimsby Telegraph.
