As we complete Week 2 of our Schools’ Tree Planting Programme at Bury Hill Meadows, it’s remarkable to look back at what has already been achieved.

In Week 1, hundreds of children from across Andover stepped onto the meadow for the first time this season. They navigated mud, cold, and the occasional burst of sunshine to plant the early foundations of this year’s community woodland. Their energy set the tone: purposeful, joyful, and rooted in the belief that every tree planted today will shape a greener, healthier Andover tomorrow. In total, they planted 494 trees!

Now, with Week 2 complete, our young planters have carried that momentum forward - through rain, wind, bitter cold, and frozen gloves - showing unwavering commitment to something bigger than themselves.

Together, across just two weeks, we have now planted 1,000 trees.

We are officially two-thirds of the way through this year’s school planting programme, with one important final week still to come.

And while these numbers are impressive, the true impact runs deeper. This programme is about environmental education, hands-on climate action, outdoor learning, teamwork, wellbeing, and giving children the confidence that they can shape the world they will inherit. It is one of the most significant educational and environmental initiatives in our area and every school, volunteer, family member and partner plays a vital role.

Here is what happened in Week 2.

Day 1 – A Strong Start to the Week

180 trees planted
1,980kg CO₂ absorbed
Those trees will absorb around 1,210kg of CO₂ in their first year which is the same as: Driving over 2,700 miles; Charging around 160,000 smartphones, and brewing more than 5,500 cups of coffee!

Anton Junior School (Year 3) and Clatford CofE Primary (Year 4) launched the week with energy and enthusiasm. Supported by Harrow Way students, Stannah employees, members of Anton Rotary and ATU volunteers, pupils planted 180 trees and learned about the long-term importance of woodland creation.

It was a day full of teamwork, discovery and pride.

Day 2 – Cold Weather, Big Determination

120 trees planted
1,320kg CO₂ absorbed
That’s the equivalent of driving an average gasoline car for approximately 4,888 km (around 3,037 miles)

Year 2 pupils from Balksbury Infant School and the eco team from Danebury School showed extraordinary resilience on one of the coldest mornings of the programme so far. Supported by Anton Rotary Club and ATU volunteers, they planted 120 trees! Serious proof that little hands can make a big environmental impact.

Day 3 – Wind, Laughter and Learning

70 trees planted
770kg CO₂ absorbed
That’s the same as driving 500 miles, making 1000 cups of tea or charging 29,000 smartphones!

Despite fierce winds, The incredible Abbotts Ann Primary’s Eco Team and pupils from Hurstbourne Tarrant (Years 1 & 2) planted 70 trees! They were supported by the lovely team from Simplyhealth and our amazing ATU volunteers and Rachel from Test Valley Borough Council. The sun was out and kept energy levels up. The day was a celebration of courage, outdoor learning, and the joy of discovering their own strength in nature. These are life lessons that stay with children long after the planting spade is put down.

Day 4 – A Beautiful Day of Community Planting

60 trees planted
660kg CO₂ absorbed
Planting 30 trees = 330kg CO₂ captured over their lifetime. that’s roughly equivalent to: one passenger flying from London to Edinburgh or driving about 820 miles in a typical petrol car

Vernham Dean Gillum’s CE Primary (whole school!) and Appleshaw Years 1 & 2 brought wonderful community spirit to the meadow. With family members, ATU volunteers and Newbury Building Society joining in, today’s planters added 60 more trees and many more smiles to the site. Moments like these show how deeply rooted this programme has become within our local community.

Day 5 – A Freezing but Fantastic Finish

80 trees planted
880kg CO₂ absorbed
That’s roughly equivalent to: driving 3,200 miles; powering a home for 2.5 months or one passenger on a flight from London to Athens, four times!

Kimpton Primary School Year 2 closed the week with grit, joy and determination, planting 80 trees despite the frost. Supported by Shenton volunteers and the ATU team, their effort brought Week 2 totals to a powerful close. Three cheers for the end of the week and everything that has been achieved, learnt and planted!

Week 2 Totals

Trees planted: 510
CO₂ absorbed: 5,610kg
Grand total so far: 1,000 trees across two weeks

💚 Why This Programme Matters

As we look ahead to our final week, it is worth remembering why this work is so important. This programme provides: climate education brought to life, meaningful hands-on environmental action, a sense of ownership and pride in our local landscape, improved wellbeing through time outdoors, community connection and collaboration and a living legacy that children can return to every season!

Each tree planted today will stand for decades - storing carbon, supporting wildlife, cooling our environment and representing the determination of a community that refuses to wait for change.

We are two-thirds of the way through, and the forest is already taking shape. Next week, we will complete this year’s planting season and we can’t wait to welcome the final schools, volunteers and families who will help bring this extraordinary effort to its finish.

Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey so far.

Here’s to Week 3 and to the growing woodland that Andover can be proud of.

Schools’ Tree Planting Programme - Week 2 Round-Up - Weather, Willpower and 1,000 Trees