Rexy meets St Martin's Church of England School pupils in Cranbrook
Rexy the dinosaur meets St Martin's Church of England School pupils in Cranbrook

Help us plant trees for nature and to make our neighbourhoods green, as a climate-friendly force for good. You can meet a 4-metre high T-Rex called Rexy too!

East Devon District Council (EDDC) has joined forces with Clyst Valley farmer, Henry Gent, to create a new woodland.

On Saturday 11th February, everyone is invited to help plant a variety of trees and shrubs just east of Minerva Country Park and west of Cranbrook.

Rexy and his little brother Gordon are fun for the children, but there’s a serious message too. We all know what happened to the dinosaurs and we need to act quickly on the climate and nature emergency.

The planting site is on the New Red Sandstone from the Triassic period. Dinosaurs were around from the late Triassic, when a species called Gordonia traquairi lived. Gordonia looked like an armour-plated dog.

Cllr Geoff Jung, EDDC’s Portfolio Holder for Coast, Country and Environment, said:

"The trees being planted include oaks, alders and the aspen, and the shrubs alder buckthorn, hazel and hawthorns. All are brilliant for wildlife and should thrive on this site in the warming climate. We hope to get everyone into a heart shape to be filmed from the air. The heart will create a special message that we have come together for the love of trees, our neighbourhood and the planet. It also happens to be our logo and fitting in the run up to Valentine’s day!

“In years to come, the trees will be accessible from a new country park and everyone will be able to nurture the trees they’ve planted and enjoy the tranquillity amidst the wood, which will be full of birdsong."

All ages are welcome, though children must be supervised at all times by an adult. It's all free and volunteers will be shown how it's done. Equipment will be provided, but please bring a spade and gloves, if you have them. The planting site is a marshy field so wellington boots are essential.

Limited parking is available with a 1/3 mile walk from the car park. The site is within walking distance of Tithebarn through the Minerva Country Park. Bus service B to Tithebarn Way gets you to within 1/3 mile flat walk to the planting site. Booking is essential when full instructions will be provided. Click on the link to book:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/plant-a-wood-in-the-clyst-valley-regional-park-tickets-464215740777

Toilets are provided. Unfortunately, the site is not suitable for mobility scooters or prams. Please do not bring dogs.