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Over 250 households on a Bradford estate are being invited to plant a tree and help brighten up their neighbourhood.

Backed by a £3,000 grant from the Co-operative Group, Bradford Community Housing Trust (BCHT) and the Forest of Bradford are teaming up to encourage residents on the Canterbury estate to take a free tree for their garden.

Over the next three weeks, BCHT staff will be visiting homes on the estate and handing out leaflets to promote the green scheme.

Residents will be able to choose from a small apple or cherry tree or a flowering fruit species. The trees will grow to about six or seven feet tall.

Staff from the Forest of Bradford, a charity dedicated to increasing the number of trees grown in rural and urban areas, will work with local young people to plant the trees in peoples’ gardens.

Ian Simpson, BCHT’s Assistant Chief Executive, Business Development, will help launch the scheme with local ward councillor Ian Greenwood (Little Horton) at the Canterbury Nursery School and Centre for Children and Families on Friday. They will join children as they plant the first 10 fruit trees at the centre.

Ian Simpson said: “BCHT is committed to encouraging tenants and local groups to take pride in their surroundings and our annual Home and Garden show is just one of the ways we help.

“We are delighted to support the Forest of Bradford with this great scheme and offer residents at Canterbury the opportunity to plant a fruit tree in their gardens. Local planting projects like this will not only improve the environment but encourage residents to grow healthy fruits.

“Trust staff will be getting in touch with residents soon about the free tree offer. So watch out for details.”

Ian Butterfield, Project Manager for the Forest of Bradford said: “Forest of Bradford is committed to introducing more trees into both rural and urban areas and we are delighted that BCHT – as the area’s biggest social landlord – are backing this local scheme. We are also very grateful for the Co-operative Group for their support.

“Planting new trees at Canterbury will brighten up gardens and neighbourhoods, attract wildlife and reduce the local carbon footprint. Residents can also enjoy the fruits that they grow!”

Linda Gomila, the Co-operative Group’s Community and Member Manager (United Region) said: “We are delighted to be working with our partners in Bradford to encourage residents on this large estate to become part of what is a carbon offsetting initiative. It will help encourage local people to make a difference to their environment.”

Barry Thorne from the Co-operative Group’s West Yorkshire Members Relation Committee said: “I am so pleased that the major beneficiaries of this initial project will be the children and young people of the Canterbury Children’s Centre. After all they are the future.”

Everyone who applies for a fruit tree will be entered into a free prize draw and the chance to win a Cooperative Fairtrade Hamper worth £50.   

The local tree planting in gardens is due to take place in March.

Note – The £3000 grant was made by the West Yorkshire Members Relation Committee of the Co-operative Group (United Region)

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