LONDON, 2014-11-3— /EPR Retail News/ — Woodland Trust starts tree planting today at Scotland’s First World War Centenary Wood with the support of Sainsbury’s. Located in Dreghorn Woods in the Pentland Hills, the first tree will be planted by Margaret Murison a Woodland Trust supporter to commemorate her relatives that fell in the First World War.
- Sainsbury’s to support First World War Centenary Woods
- Dreghorn Woods in the Pentland Hills is one of four Centenary Woods
- Local woman picked to plant first commemorative tree for fallen relative
Margaret Murison will plant an oak tree to mark her grandfather and great-uncle who fell on the same day at the Battle of Ypres. 400 school children will also be getting involved to plant trees in the wood, alongside Sainsbury’s colleagues.
Sainsbury’s is marking its ten year partnership with the Woodland Trust by supporting the charity’s commemorative First World War Centenary Woods project. Customers who buy Sainsbury’s Woodland free range eggs, chicken and turkey will not only be buying higher welfare produce – they will be helping to create four lasting memorial woodlands for those affected by the Great War across the UK.
Over the next two years a total of 50,000 native trees will be planted at Dreghorn Woods on the MOD training estate in the Pentland Hills near Edinburgh, including 10,000 which will be planted by schoolchildren and members of the public during special planting days.
Margaret Murison from West Calder said: “My grandfather William Balmer and his brother John enlisted on the same day; their numbers in the 2nd Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders are consecutive. Both died at the Battle of Ypres on April 11 1917, a date I always remember and always mark.
“Since my mother died I’m the closest family member to them now, and I feel even closer because of this Woodland Trust project. Planting trees in memory of these fallen heroes is a wonderful idea. I’ve always wanted to go and see my grandfather’s grave, but there’s not a very high chance of doing that now.
“This is something positive I can do which gives his memory standing. It’s something that’s growing, something that’s living, something that’s fresh and lovely.”
Carol Evans, director of the Woodland Trust Scotland said: “The Centenary Woods are a tribute to everyone who helped with the war effort.
“We’re immensely proud to be planting millions of trees with the support of our lead partner Sainsbury’s as well as many individuals and organisations to remember that sacrifice and to create new woods for people and wildlife to enjoy.”
Marc Watson, Sainsbury’s Edinburgh Longstone store manager added: “It’s an honour to be part of the first tree planting at the Scottish Centenary Wood. Sainsbury’s has been supporting the charity for 10 years and we’re proud to continue this partnership with the support of Woodland Trust’s centenary project.”
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