Trowbridge will see hundreds of new trees being planted this spring thanks to a £140,471 grant from Great Western Community Forests.  

The project called Trowbridge Green Thread will add 270 trees all over the town creating new areas and adding to existing green spaces like Paxcroft Brook, Biss Meadows, The Down Cemetery and the Town Park.  

New trees will include community orchards, trees in play areas, and cherry trees to brighten entrances to the town.

The project will also receive 500 ‘whips’ – young saplings – to plant, plus bulbs and some park benches so that residents can sit and enjoy their environment.

Wiltshire Times: We love trees: Cllr Mel Jacob, along with Cllrs Jo Trigg and Stewart Palmen, Town Council clerk Lance Allan and the council’s facilities manager Carl Buckingham, celebrate gaining a £140,4712 grant to plant new trees and maintain trees around Trowbridge. Image: Trevor Porter 70609-3We love trees: Cllr Mel Jacob, along with Cllrs Jo Trigg and Stewart Palmen, Town Council clerk Lance Allan and the council’s facilities manager Carl Buckingham, celebrate gaining a £140,4712 grant to plant new trees and maintain trees around Trowbridge. Image: Trevor Porter 70609-3 (Image: Trevor Porter)

Trowbridge and Wiltshire councillor Mel Jacob, who led the application, said: “We are thrilled to have been successful in getting this grant.

“Trowbridge has so many great green spaces and this project aims to add to these and enhance our town.

“Our ‘green thread’ is a connection between all parts of the town for wildlife to use and for people to enjoy. 

“Trees provide a whole range of benefits for people and the environment.  Trowbridge is a great town and these new trees will add to the other projects going on to improve the town.”

Matt Callaway, local woodland officer for Wiltshire Wildlife Trust and a Trowbridge resident, said: “This is fantastic news for the town and builds on several fantastic environmental projects across town.

“Planting these trees will not only help us reduce our carbon emissions and deliver a breadth of benefits for wildlife but have a huge community value from the fruit from the orchards.

“I look forward to planting these trees with my family and getting more involved in the community and hope others will follow suit.”

Wiltshire Times: Cllr Mel Jacob, along with Cllrs Jo Trigg and Stewart Palmen, Town Council clerk Lance Allan and the council’s facilities manager Carl Buckingham, celebrate gaining a £140,4712 grant to plant new trees and maintain trees around Trowbridge. Image: Trevor Porter 70609-1Cllr Mel Jacob, along with Cllrs Jo Trigg and Stewart Palmen, Town Council clerk Lance Allan and the council’s facilities manager Carl Buckingham, celebrate gaining a £140,4712 grant to plant new trees and maintain trees around Trowbridge. Image: Trevor Porter 70609-1 (Image: Trevor Porter)

Cllr Jacob added: “Local councillors and environmental groups were asked for suggestions for locations and we have managed to be successful in lots of areas around the town.  

“Working with tree officers from Wiltshire Council we have been able to get the land checked for utilities and permissions in place for 21 locations around the town. 

“The grant covers the cost of the trees and their maintenance for the first 15 years.   Trowbridge Town Council will take on the maintenance after that.  

“We will be looking for locations for Phase 2 of the project and further grants so if people have ideas please do get in touch.”