Stoke-on-Trent City Council is inviting entries to name the two Diamond Wood sites to be planted in the city later this year. Backed by B&Q and Kier Stoke, the council is running a competition in conjunction with The Sentinel, to name the two Stoke-on-Trent woods.
In December 2011 two sites, Fenpark and off Biddulph Road near Packmoor were awarded £220,000 from the Forestry Commission to create the woodlands.
The two sites are part of The Woodland Trust’s Jubilee Woods project which is planting 6 million trees across the UK to celebrate The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Sixty woodlands of 60 acres will be created with hundreds of smaller woods also being created, along with thousands of communities and schools planting free schools packs.
Councillor Janine Bridges, cabinet member for city services said
We want really creative and imaginative entries that bring to mind the occasion and the city’s heritage.
We’re looking for names that will evoke the spirit and essence of Stoke-on-Trent, and make these woodlands unique to our city.
They will leave a lasting legacy for future generations and we’re looking for something that people can look back on in years to come to make them proud of our city and what it has achieved.
The aim of the competition is to create historic names that will commemorate the event and also form part of the city’s heritage for years to come. A judging panel made up of sponsors and organisers will make the decision and two prizes of £100 gift vouchers are on offer for each of the two successful entries.
Georgina McLeod, project head at the Woodland Trust, said
It’s great that local people are getting the chance to connect with these new woods. In just 10 years the trees will be taller than the average person and the woodland will be full of wildlife for many people to enjoy, hopefully the naming is just the start of their relationship with the woods. Not only is this a chance to celebrate The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee but it’s also a chance for people to improve their local environment and create somewhere for residents to enjoy and be part of.
All trees planted in the two woods will be native broadleaf trees that grow naturally in Stoke-on-Trent and that will do best in the soils at each site. Species will include silver birch, ash, oak, rowan, and hawthorn.
Details on how to enter and terms and conditions can be found using the Diamond Wood Competition link below.