The trees that Lovell and the children at Ynysowen Primary School planted at the development throughout November were part of The Queen’s Green Canopy – a tree planting initiative created to mark the Platinum Jubilee in 2022.
The initiative has called on individuals, organisations and groups across the UK to plant as many trees as they can between October 2021 and March 2022, and from October 2022 until the end of the Jubilee year. These months form the official tree planting season and is when the trees stand the best chance of thriving, leaving behind a lasting legacy for Queen Elizbeth II.
Alongside planting the trees, Lovell also donated a bench, which was installed on a polished concrete slab, for residents and the wider community to enjoy.
Charlotte Holder, community development co-ordinator at Lovell, said: “It has been a joy getting involved with Ynysowen Primary School to plant these 100 trees to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
“The children have been fantastic, and together we have achieved something we can all be proud of.
“At Lovell, it’s important to us to support and benefit the local communities we build in wherever possible. By getting involved with The Queen’s Green Canopy, we are leaving a lasting legacy and boosting our development’s ecological impact.
“This isn’t just going to benefit the current local community with additional green space, but it will also benefit future generations of Merthyr Vale.”
Tara Nicholls, year six teacher at Ynysowen Primary School, said: “The children and I loved getting involved with Lovell to help with their efforts to plant 100 trees for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
“Getting out to plant trees as part of a regeneration effort in Merthyr Vale was a fantastic experience for the children. Being a part of the process of improving the UK’s sustainability was very beneficial for them, and a brilliant learning opportunity.”
Ymyl Yr Afon is a £25 million development which has now completed, providing 110 two, three and four-bedroom homes for open market sale and 43 one, two, three and four-bed affordable homes through Merthyr Tydfil Housing Association.
The development is part of a major regeneration programme, which was delivered by Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council and also included the construction of Ynysowen Primary School.
The trees which Lovell and Ynysowen Primary School planted can be found on The Queen’s Green Canopy virtual map, at https://queensgreencanopy.org/map-education-hub/qgc-map/#/. For further details on The Queen’s Green Canopy, visit https://queensgreencanopy.org/.
