VOLUNTEERS from the Ilminster Tree Project braved the January chill for their first planting session of the year on Saturday. 

A total of 12 volunteers planted 50 trees on land provided by heating, ventilation and air conditioning solutions company Powrmatic Limited on the outskirts of Ilminster. 

As well as helping to plant trees, the volunteers provided homemade cakes and afternoon tea to keep everyone warm and fuelled. 

The project was launched by Green Ilminster in 2019 with the aim of planting around 7,000 trees in the town and its surrounding area - one for every person living there.

Over 2,000 trees have been planted by the project’s volunteers so far.


Read more: Ilminster Tree Project is looking for helpers to plant 5,000 more trees in town 

Read more: Plan to plant 7,000 new trees in Ilminster


Peter Lansdown, who helps coordinate the project’s volunteers, wrote: "Ilminster Tree Project hit the ground running on Saturday with a full team of 12 volunteers planting out a further 50 trees at the Powrmatic site. 

"After a break for refreshments, hot tea and a variety of lovely cakes, they worked on to clear the ground around all the saplings planted there last year.

"Various volunteers had brought homemade cakes and, halfway through the afternoon tea was brewed, which encouraged lots of chat and wishes to come back and do it all again."

He continued: "The youngest participant was not yet a year old!

"Mum had been taken tree planting on Herne Hill by her parents when she was a babe and she was determined to do the same." 

The tree project is still looking for volunteers to plant trees, find suitable land, collect seeds, map wildlife corridors, raise funds, and coordinate its stalls at an upcoming fete. 

On Sunday, volunteers helped Green Ilminster collect enough litter to fill around 25 bin bags from the town's streets in a community litter pick.

The organisation will host its first Green Drinks social of the year on Tuesday, February 1 at 7:30pm at The Dolphin (Silver Street, Ilminster).

You can contact the Ilminster Tree Project by emailing peterlansdown1@outlook.com.

To learn more about Green Ilminster, email greenilminster@btinternet.com.

Gallery: Ilminster Tree Project plant at Powrmatic

Chard & Ilminster News: PLANTING: 12 volunteers helped out on SaturdayPLANTING: 12 volunteers helped out on Saturday

Chard & Ilminster News: SAPLING: A volunteer plants a young tree with Ilminster Tree ProjectSAPLING: A volunteer plants a young tree with Ilminster Tree Project

Chard & Ilminster News: LAND: The volunteers stand on unused land provided by Powrmatic Limited, IlminsterLAND: The volunteers stand on unused land provided by Powrmatic Limited, Ilminster

Chard & Ilminster News: SMILE: Two Ilminster Tree Project volunteers enjoyed the day SMILE: Two Ilminster Tree Project volunteers enjoyed the day

Chard & Ilminster News: CUPPA: A volunteer takes a well-deserved breather from planting treesCUPPA: A volunteer takes a well-deserved breather from planting trees

Chard & Ilminster News: ACTION SHOT: A volunteer plants a tree near the Powrmatic Limited buildingACTION SHOT: A volunteer plants a tree near the Powrmatic Limited building

Chard & Ilminster News: PROJECT: The first planting session of the year took place on SaturdayPROJECT: The first planting session of the year took place on Saturday

Chard & Ilminster News: HEADING HOME: The volunteers helped plant 50 trees at the Powrmatic Site HEADING HOME: The volunteers helped plant 50 trees at the Powrmatic Site