THE MAYOR of Bridport has spoken of the importance of trees and the 'vital' role they play in sustaining the planet.

Councillor Ian Bark has praised the work carried out by Bridport Tree Planting so far this year.

The Bridport Tree Planting group was established in the autumn of 2019 to support the Friends of the Earth campaign to double tree cover in the UK.

The group has worked closely with Bridport Town Council to map, develop and maintain the local tree stock. Already this year, members have planted more than 90 new saplings at Millennium Green, 75 at Dibden View in the Flaxhayes area, 54 saplings at the end of the West Bay cycle path, as well as planting a new 30-metre hedge at Bridport Youth and Community Centre.

In addition to this, the group has provided 30 saplings to Bridport Community Orchard and will give 28 to St Catherine’s Primary School along with some bigger trees. More trees are also due to be planted soon at Asker Meadows.

Cllr Bark said: “That makes a total of nearly 600 trees planted in public spaces this planting season. This is an outstanding achievement and I am sure that, like me, the people of Bridport are extremely grateful to the group for the work they are doing to make our town not only a greener place to live, but one that is contributing towards the mitigation of the impact of climate change and urban pollution.

“That said, I am aware that there are people who do not share this enthusiasm for trees. I have met people who think it’s a waste of time and money.

“When talking to members of Bridport Tree Planting recently, I was told by some of the volunteers about meeting folk who don’t like trees.”