A NEW woodland of more than 400 trees has been planted in Hedge End in memory of the late Queen. 

Children and other volunteers have come together to plant 450 trees at Dowd's Farm as part of The Queen's Green Canopy initiative. 

Gifted by the Woodland Trust, the saplings planted include oak, hawthorn, dogwood, wild cherry, silver birch, hazel, field maple, rowan and blackthorn. 

Among those planting were children from nearby Wellstead Primary School and Little Wisp Preschool.

Daily Echo: Children and volunteers plant new woodland at Dowd's Farm, Hedge End.Children and volunteers plant new woodland at Dowd's Farm, Hedge End. (Image: Hedge End Town Council.)

Jamie, aged 10, from Wellstead Primary School said: “My grandma lives across the road so I have planted a cherry tree so she can pick the fruit in the future.”

Jesicca Ball, manager of Little Wisp Preschool, said: “The children are so excited to be part of this. It’s been such a lovely morning and fantastic to be a part of history.”

Local resident Adrian Millman also donated trees he had grown in pots in his garden.

Chair of Hedge End Town Council Cllr Cliff Morris planted the first tree.

Daily Echo: Children and volunteers plant new woodland at Dowd's Farm, Hedge End.Children and volunteers plant new woodland at Dowd's Farm, Hedge End. (Image: Hedge End Town Council.)

He said: “It’s a brilliant initiative and a chance to preserve our green spaces for generations to come.

"It was so wonderful to see the children out here planting trees which they will be able to watch grow over the years.”

The children were assisted by Cllr John Jupe and Cllr Jane Welsh and Town Council staff.

All the children were presented with certificates by Chair Cllr Cliff Morris. 

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