Burly rugby players teamed up with local schoolchildren to plant more than 1,600 trees on a housing estate.
The Big Plant at Parc Peulwys in Lysfaen, above Old Colwyn, is part of a £1.1 million environment programme by housing association Cartrefi Conwy.
Pupils from Ysgol Tan y Marian were joined by players from Colwyn Bay based Rygbi Gogledd Cymru (RGC), tenants and staff of Cartrefi Conwy.
Between them they planted new woodland of 1,625 native trees including oak, birch, field maple, walnut, common alder, lime, wild cherry, hornbeam, alder and rowan saplings
Cartrefi Conwy Chief Executive Andrew Bowden donned his wellies to lend a hand.
He said: “I never thought I’d be involved in planting a forest, especially on the Parc Peulwys estate. As a housing association, in partnership with tenants, we have renovated homes and have now moved onto improving the environment for everyone.
“We want to make sure our open spaces are managed to ensure our tenants can enjoy the environment. Our motto is creating communities to be proud of and I see this Big Plant as the ultimate when it comes to that ideal.”
“What could be better than being out of the office on a beautiful day and enjoying the wonderful views from Parc Peulwys while planting these saplings?
“I’m looking forward to seeing this woodland develop and grow and I know generations of tenants will enjoy what we have done. From little acorns mighty oak trees grow and I believe the Parc Peulwys community spirit is growing into something special.”
Cartrefi Conwy Community Engagement Officer Owen Veldhuizen said: “This is going to create a native Parc Peulwys woodland which will be around for generations to come.
“It will be enjoyed by wildlife and humans alike and will become a place of natural ever-changing beauty, a learning resource for the local school and a place for kids to climb and play.
“I’m so pleased to have volunteers from the school, from the community, our contractors and RGC.
“The involvement of RGC is thanks to a strategic partnership we have with Wales Rugby Union and the club’s centre of excellence which aims to find both young male and female talent in our communities.”
Wales Rugby Union participation officer Allan James took along RGC players, Olly Cracknell, 19, and Kiwi, Tallis Karaitiawa to help with the planting.
Allan said: “Cartrefi Conwy sponsors and works in tandem with RGC to provide coaching for youngsters as well as supporting a number of other community events such as our Street Stars programme.
“The aim of Street Stars is to engage as many young people as possible from disadvantaged areas, taking rugby out of its traditional environment and onto the streets.
“The sessions take place in car parks, street corners and public games areas, using an obstacle course to challenge young people and their skills in passing, evasion, throwing, kicking and tackling – all against the clock.”
He added: “It’s about engaging children and getting them involved in a sport they can enjoy for life.
“By getting young semi-professional players involved with events such as today’s Big Plant helps them develop as people and gets them interacting with children in a positive environment. And, it also gives children role models, something to aspire to.”
Back row player Olly Cracknell moved to North Wales from his home town of Leeds thanks to sponsorship from Wales Rugby Union.
He said: “My grandfather was Welsh and I’m thrilled to be here in North Wales playing for RGC. Getting involved in planting trees has been a great experience and the children from Ysgol Tan y Marian have been fantastic.”
New Zealander Tallis Karaitiawa, who is in North Wales with RGC as part of an exchange programme, says he really enjoyed getting involved with the community.
Tallis, who also plays in the back row, said: “It’s been awesome. I’m really enjoying the experience and getting involved with a community project such as this has been really enjoyable.”
Rhian Jones, head teacher of Ysgol Tan y Marian, says the Big Plant is a wonderful project that has helped teach pupils respect for their environment.
She said: “Being so close to their school this woodland is really on their doorstep. They will enjoy seeing the trees mature and the woodland develop in the years ahead and as they themselves grow-up.
“The woodland will also be a potential new teaching resource. I know the children who have come to help plant these new trees are very excited and, despite the cold, have thoroughly enjoyed the work.”
Pupil Charly Jones, 10, is looking forward to seeing the trees grow.
She said: “It has been fun and I like it that animals and birds will have somewhere to live. I can’t wait to see the trees grow.”
Fellow pupil Armani Warburton, 10, who lives on the Parc Peulwys estate, added: “It will be good to have a wood here even if it takes a long time to grow. It has been really good fun planting the trees and making sure the roots go straight down into the ground.”
It was a sentiment echoed by Cartrefi Conwy Environmental Development Officer Matt Stowe who thanked Natural Resource Wales for a grant that helped in purchasing the saplings.
He said: “The saplings are two-years-old and it will take around 25 to 30 years before it comes fully mature woodland. The community will be looking after the trees and developing the woodland.
“We are protecting the young saplings with vole guards to ensure wildlife doesn’t damage the roots and bark as the trees become established. I’m sure the community will enjoy seeing this woodland develop and grow in the years to come.”
Brenig Construction, sub-contractors to G Purchase Construction Ltd, who are carrying out the Parc Peulwys environmental improvement programme, sent along four members of staff to help out with the Big Plant.
Site manager Nick Ellis says the firm picked up the day’s wage bill for the staff involved.
He said: “We viewed the Big Plant as part of our community partnership. And as a result, we are happy to have four members of staff spending the day working with volunteers planting samplings that will, in time, develop into mature woodland and become a wonderful community asset.”
