This week we launched our annual Schools’ Tree Planting Programme at Bury Hill Meadows, the next chapter in Andover’s growing community woodland. Despite some wild weather at times, the energy, teamwork and enthusiasm across the week have been absolutely inspiring. Here’s a look back at everything we achieved together.

Day 1 - Setting Up & Preparing the Site

Monday was all about preparation and our team rose to the challenge. With rain pouring down, volunteers and students from Harrow Way Community School worked tirelessly to get the site ready for the days ahead.

Together they unloaded the Land Rover, set up gazebos, marked planting zones, sorted gloves, mulched paths, prepared tools, and even set up the all-important tea station. It was a huge effort carried out with determination, teamwork and good humour — the perfect foundation for the week to come.

A huge thank you to Doreen, Hebe, Simone, Sam, Liz, Annette, Liang, Annabel, Henry, and the brilliant staff and students from Harrow Way for giving the programme such a strong start.

Day 2 - Endeavour King (Year 4)

Morning and afternoon sessions saw Year 4 pupils planting 110 trees, supported by ATU volunteers, members of Andover Rotary Club and staff from Simplyhealth.

Carbon impact: Those 110 trees will absorb around 1,210kg of CO₂ in their first year, real climate action rooted in the hands of young people.

Day 3 - Endeavour Kirk (Year 2)

Year 2 pupils planted 100 trees across two sessions, working with our volunteers and Simplyhealth.

Carbon impact: That’s a further 1,100kg of CO₂ absorbed in year one, the equivalent of charging around 140,000 smartphones or driving more than 2,500 miles.

Day 4 - Portway Juniors (Year 6)

Our biggest planting day yet! Year 6 pupils from Portway planted an amazing 180 trees, supported by the wonderful Hildon team, Gemma & Aaron from TVBC Countryside Team, and our excellent ATU volunteers including James, currently completing work experience with us through Sparsholt College.

Carbon impact: Those 180 trees will absorb around 1,980kg of CO₂ in the first year, the highest total this week.

Friday (Day 5)

What a way to end Week 1 of our Schools Tree Planting Programme at Bury Hill Meadows!. On Friday, we had two brilliant planting sessions despite the weather trying its best to stop us! Our Morning Session welcomed Fox Class! Year 2 pupils from Normangate School. A huge thank you to the fantastic Child Development students from Andover College, and to Liam and Aaron from the Test Valley Borough Council Countryside Team, who supported the planting brilliantly through the pouring rain. In the afternoon we had the children from Year 2, Vigo Primary School join in on our last plant of the week. A massive thanks to Gary and Geoff from Rotary Andover UK, Rachel and Aaron from TVBC, and our wonderful ATU volunteers for keeping spirits high and supporting every child.

Carbon Impact: The pupils from Normangate planted 2 trees each, giving us 24 new trees in the ground. Those 24 trees will absorb 264kg of CO₂ in their first year, an amazing climate impact from such determined young planters. The pupils from Vigo planted 80 trees with huge enthusiasm and teamwork. Those trees will absorb around 880kg of CO₂ in their first year.

WEEK 1 TOTALS

Week 1 now stands at:

494 trees planted
5,434kg of CO₂ absorbed in the first year alone

That’s the equivalent of:

Over 12,000 miles of driving
Charging more than 700,000 smartphones
Brewing more than 25,000 cups of coffee

Absolutely incredible work from every school, volunteer, business and supporter who helped this week happen. As always, thank you to the Carbon Footprint Ltd and The Woodland Trust for the trees! Thank you all for the energy, the enthusiasm, the muddy boots, the laughs, the learning and the community spirit.

A Powerful First Week

Next week we welcome even more schools across Andover, plus further support from our volunteer teams and local businesses.

Let’s keep growing, learning and planting hope.

Happy trees, happy planet, happy people. 💚🌍

Week One: Preparing, Planting & Powering On — A Brilliant Start at Bury Hill Meadows