Harmony Woods History 2011 - 2022
The idea was the brainchild of a single individual, motivated by the need to involve all young people in our planet’s stewardship. And to demonstrate to other communities that taking such action was indeed possible. Quickly joined by like-minded people across the community, the project was born.
Without knowing where the trees would eventually be planted, tree nursery beds were built in 25 local schools, into which in November 2011, 1000 whips were planted by the first young tree planters, supported by teachers, parents and Andover Trees United volunteers.
In 2011, Andrew Hughes, the former owner and manager of Trinley Estate and a committed champion of the Andover Trees United concept (our first meetings were in the Estate’s gamekeepers’ hut, where the winning charity logo was also revealed to excited young designers), supported by family Trustees, released the 44-acre field that was to become our planting site for the decade 2012-2022. Hampshire County Council agreed to buy the land, now leased to the charity, in support of our community woodland project and planting began in 2012.
The resulting 44-acre woodland is the largest part of Hampshire’s Diamond Wood, one of 60 new 60-acre woods planted to mark the late Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, a scheme led by the Woodland Trust. In her capacity as patron of the Trust, Princess Anne planted the first tree with us in October 2012, joined by children from the inaugural Andover Trees United group of 17 schools.
Harmony Woods is the 12-acre section within the Diamond Wood, set aside for planting by the children of our town and surrounding villages, supported by the community.
(Below) Harmony Woods Key Moments 2012 - 2022 (update in progress…)
(Above) A 5-Year Summary 2011 - 2016
Children’s Planting Time 2012-2021
Over 2 weeks every year in late November 2012-21, 1000 (sometimes more) children brought the trees that they had been caring for in their school tree nursery beds to plant in their shared woodland planting site.
By 2017, just over 5000 trees had been planted in Harmony Woods, covering 7 acres, including 30 fruit trees rescued from a nursery that was having to destroy stock as part of a clean-up.
In 2018, planting began on the final 5 acres, including an avenue of wild cherry trees to mark the end of the 1914-18 centenary (below left).
In 2019, each school planted a disease resistant Elm along the western end of Harmony Woods, stretching partly into the northern and southern boundaries. [Plant-for-the-Planet Ambassadors planted an additional group in 2025 (above right), marking the first Academy to take place in the wood.]
2020 was a difficult year but work continued despite lockdowns and a global pandemic. Unable to bring children in coaches en masse, each school was invited to bring a small ‘bubble’ of children with a member of staff to plant one special tree on behalf of their classmates. Each school was allocated a different British native tree; these special trees were planted together in a group to form a mini-arboretum of 30 different varieties and is now a study area and Habitats Trail with wildflower meadow and pond.
A community tree was planted by the youth team and volunteers alongside then Mayor of Test Valley Cllr Martin Hadley (above right), who dedicated the tree to the community for it to be a place for contemplation and reflection.
November 2021 saw the final ‘all schools’ planting fortnight’ take place (below), even when the ground was covered in snow and temperatures were very chilly.
Closing the Circle
In early 2022, mirroring the first planting day in November 2012 when two representatives from each school assembled for a truly united planting, the final day of the children’s planting on 17th February saw a similar gathering place the last trees into the ground.
To fully close the circle, we were delighted that Kieron Beattie, who had single-handedly drilled 1000 holes in November 2012 in preparation for the first children’s planting weeks and whose team at KBL Landscapes went on to drill holes for us every year across the decade, was able to plant the last tree alongside The Lord Lieutenant, Nigel Atkinson Esq.
The wood, started in the late Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and continuously planting by local school children every year through to the Platinum Jubilee, was blessed with one final gift.
On 14th October 2022, Deputy Lieutenant Lady Louisa Portal delivered an Alder tree that had been part of the Tree of Trees sculpture that had stood outside Buckingham Palace during the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebrations. Joined once more by children who had been part of the creation of this special wood, the tree made its way into the ground across the grassy ride from the Jubilee Oaks planted in 2012 and 2022.
The wood will never be ‘finished’. This was just the start…