Tree Planting at Kelvin Grove School in Sydenham

"Sydenham today became "twinned" with Sipson, the village threatened with demolition if the proposed third runway at Heathrow airport goes ahead." So the press release goes.... 

It wasApple Tree - Airplot a bit of a nippy do this morning when a few of us got together on the allotment of Kate Shipp's daughter's school in Sydenham - joined by the Mayor of Lewisham, Steve Bullock, along with Liberal Democrat and Conservative parliamentary candidates for Lewisham West and Penge, Alex Feakes and Chris Phillips - where the tree was planted in solidarity with Sipson. In fact, two trees, as we had to split the ceremony in two in order to accommodate the diffferent schedules of Mayor and politicians. In the event there was only room for one tree on the site, so there was much convincing man-handling of shovels and re-shovelling of dirt by said politicians. The other tree was left to be planted next week in the school garden behind the building.

The ceremony followed a similar event earlier this month when celebrities and politicians planted an apple orchard on the runway site as a symbol of opposition to the development. Over the past two weekends, Greenpeace groups around the country have been planting apple trees locally in a co-ordinated gesture of support - if you didn't know that bit already.

The whole thing was good on several fronts: it achieved what it set out to achieve, I think; it tied in really well with a school who are incredibly supportive and pro-active on ecological issues - and which is attended by Kate's daughter; it gave Greenpeace Southwark, the issue of Heathrow expansion and some local politicians some press coverage and media exposure (we had one official photographer from the South London Press group); it built another important link between all those groups and the local community - etc. etc.

The kids at the school manage and garden their own allotment, so in a few years will hopefully regularly get to eat crops of apples into the bargain. Thanks Kelvin Grove School and thanks Kate for having that idea and following it through!

Apple Tree Planting - Airplot