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On Wednesday 20th March, over 60 volunteers rolled up their sleeves and donned their wellies to take plant 1500 trees at Mary Hare School, donated by Greenham Trust and the Woodland Trust, as part of the school’s project to support British hedgerows and wildlife.  

The day was made possible with the helping hands from individual volunteers through the West Berkshire Volunteer Centre and from local businesses including, Roots Estate Agency, Gekko, Corner Stone, Maxx-Designs, VolkerLaser (National Highways Agency) and Mary Hare staff.  

The initiative saw 1500 trees across 230 metres planted, with the goal of establishing a new hedgerow knitting together existing hedgerows from Arlington Lane along the Oxford Road to the Millennium Woods. Mary Hare Catering students staffed Cole’s Diner, the youth club at the school, while the volunteers enjoyed their well-earned refreshments and a chance to connect with pupils.  

We were overwhelmed with support we recieved, which across a wide range of ages, including some our younger students involved in the ‘Do Good Feel Good’ club, who pitched in with the tree planting as well as some of the Sixth Formers who are currently studying their Level 1 Carpentry.  

Laura Jones, PMO Lead at Cornerstone, says,

“Myself and 6 colleagues from Cornerstone, along with other amazing individuals, had the incredible opportunity to help plant trees at Mary Hare school. It was a day full of energy, teamwork, and commitment to making a positive impact for the School and the environment. The school is absolutely incredible, making a significant impact to young people on a daily basis including my niece. During the day I was able to plant a tree with her which will be locked in as a much-cherished memory. We hope we can support them again in the future.” 

Rachael Stevenson, Recruitment Manager at Gekko, said,

“A really well organised day which was great to be involved in as well as being able to support a local project” 

Ashley Williams, Partner at Roots Estate Agency, shared their team's experience,

“The whole Roots Estate Agency team were delighted to pitch in and volunteer their energy into this charitable project for Mary Hare. The friendly and structured event gave us all the confidence to get stuck in with a clear focus on the objective. We enjoyed ourselves so much that we forgot to take a break and visit Cole’s Diner, which we will definitely be back for!” 

Sam Buxcey, Web Developer at Maxx-Design, says,

"Mary Hare does such a huge amount for so many children across the country, and it was great to be a part of making the school even better. So much was achieved in such a small amount of time, and the end result is going to look fantastic." 

Hedgerows are vital ecosystems, serving as habitats for a wide range of species. They provide essential nesting sites and food for birds, insects, and small mammals. While also serving as wildlife corridors, connecting otherwise fragmented habitats, protecting animals as they travel. It is important to plant hedgerows as across the UK they are increasingly under threat. The species planted were a mix of: Hawthorn, Wild Cherry, Hazel, Field Maple, Common Oak, Crab Apple Elder, and Blackthorn. These have been chosen as hardy native species that can tolerate exposed sites and provide an effective barrier, while some will have beautiful blossoms, bright berries and stunning autumn displays.  

Pupils from Radley College’s Countryside Centre came to support a smaller side project planting mature trees to around Mary Hare Primary School to enhance the immediate environment.  

Charlie Herbert, Director Countryside Centre Partnerships at Radley College, says,

“I am very grateful to Mary Hare School for inviting Radley College to join their wonderful hedge and tree planting event and it was a delight to bring a group of boys to plant five lovely trees.  Seeing the boys working hard, chatting excitedly about the task, and engaging happily with some of the Primary School pupils reinforced again the importance of these partnership activities.” 

This project was made possible through the generous donations of trees by Greenham Trust and the Woodland Trust. We are committed to conservation across our 145-acre grounds just across the road from Snelsmore Common Country Park, ensuring a sustainable future for Mary Hare cohorts to come. 

Ian Wright, Head of Operations at Mary Hare School, shared,

“This project marks a key part of our continuing drive to improve the biodiversity and landscaping, especially at the eastern boundary of Mary Hare School, and has been achieved to excellent effect by a fantastic group of very enthusiastic and willing volunteers – I was so impressed by their efforts and absolutely delighted to have completed such a fine line of hedging extending along the whole stretch of our Oxford Road fenceline, and in planting a group of mature trees alongside the Primary School.  This will provide a real boost to both wildlife and the immediate environment, and I would like to thank everyone involved that made the day possible: Mary Hare staff, the generosity of the Woodland Trust and the Greenham Trust, and our marvellous hedge-planting volunteers.” 

Cecilia Burdett-Ward, Trusts Fundraiser for the Mary Hare Foundation, says,

“It's so rewarding to watch a project like this unfold. What we've been working on for the best part of a year behind the scenes has all come to fruition in the space of a day; and it wouldn't be possible without dedicated and motivated volunteers. It's great to be able to bring so many strands of the local community together to make a positive impact. I will enjoy watching the hedge line blossom from the office window.”