Trees have been planted at Birchanger Wood to commemorate the 80th anniversary of a Bishop’s Stortford-based business.
Forty Year 7 students from neighbouring Birchwood High School planted 80 oak and hornbeam saplings at the wood on Monday, and Cornelius chairman Dr Neville Prior planted a 6ft high oak.
Cornelius, a specialist chemicals distributor and manufacturer based on the Woodside industrial estate off Dunmow Road, has strong links with the community and Birchwood High.
Dr Prior is a governor at the Parsonage Lane secondary and the company attends the school’s career fairs and offers opportunities for students do work experience.
The tree-planting project was overseen on behalf of the Birchanger Wood Trust by Pat Forrest, warden of the wood.
He said: “The students planted two trees each, and their enthusiasm and energy for the task was inspiring.
“If we can maintain their interest in the growth of trees, the event will have not only marked a very important anniversary for Cornelius but also assisted the trust in educating young people in the benefits and value of natural woodland.”
Over the last eight decades Cornelius has grown from a small trading company to a major distribution business in the UK, France, Russia and Poland.
Birchanger Wood Trust owns and manages the ancient wood on the outskirts of Stortford. Work is carried out by volunteers, and more people are needed to help on Saturdays. For more information call Pat on (01279) 652095.
