Llanelli Children Team Up with David Bellamy in Principality Tree Appeal

Children at a Llanelli primary school have been putting their green fingers to the test with the help of world-famous environmentalist David Bellamy.

The Afternoon was sponsored by Principality building society who have donated 600 broad-leaved trees to Penygaer primary school to bring wildlife back to the school and encourage environmental education.

(Tree Appeal preparing the grounds)

(Ceri, Bridie and Hannah with their planted tree)

Principality have teamed up with the Tree Appeal environmental initiative to plant more than 3000 trees in school across Wales this year to support individual school projects, including the one at Penygaer primary where students have planted trees to create a woodland environment for exploration, play and learning.

Professor Bellamy, patron of the Tree Appeal, said: "By planting trees, Principality building society is doing their bit to stitch our world back into a more sustainable working order. By planting trees in schools, everyone can learn more about how trees support all the birds, bats, butterflies and all the other little beasties that depend on them."

(The Principality Team including two of the local Llanelli branch staff)

David Tanner, Headteacher at Penygaer Primary, said: "The donation of the trees has made a huge difference in our ongoing project to develop the school grounds, which until recently were very bare. The introduction of trees to the area will give us a huge opportunity to develop the whole curriculum and encourage learning through play."

"For example, the trees will give an opportunity for education in science and biodiversity, and as they mature will also provide materials for arts and crafts. The children had a fantastic time helping to plant the trees, it was a real interactive learning experience."

(Helen and Cris from CAVS with David)

S4C where also on hand to film the children planting the trees with David and look to broadcast in the coming weeks on 'Wedi 3'. Carmarthenshire Connect will post up the dates of broadcast when known so please keep checking the website regularly.

Also, CAVS have recently helped the school obtain funding for flower pots and benches to go around the school (picture left) and eventually a Mosaic mural to go onto the entrance wall of the school.