FRIENDS OF Clapham Common WILL PLANT THEIR 100TH TREE WITH TREES FOR CITIES 05.11.11 Friends of Clapham Common (FCC1) is pleased to announce that Trees for Cities (TfC2) successfully bid for the next round of tree-planting on Clapham Common this winter.

A total of 22 new matures trees and 300 ‘whips’ (very young trees) will be planted in January in a project which will see the 100th tree planted by FCC on the Common. Funding has come from the Big Lottery Fund’s Community Spaces Programme3, managed by Groundwork UK.

Schools and other community groups will join the members of FCC in a series of planting days in January4.

Over the last three years, FCC has planted mature and young native trees including London Plane, Sweet Chestnut, Horse Chestnut, Birch and Wild Cherry, to provide a programme of tree replacement and biodiversity enhancement on Clapham Common.

This year the project includes the placement of five new benches, as well as interpretation boards, designed to help the public identify the trees and learn about the wildlife they will attract. Ends/… For further information: Melanie Oxley (FCC) on 020 8675 3308 or Katie Roberts (TfC) On 020 7820 4422 Notes: 1. Friends of Clapham Common is an active environmental group of around 500 members. We run projects to improve the biodiversity of Clapham Common, to encourage its sporting activities and clubs, to help restore its buildings and resources, and to help in the strategic planning for large events.

2. Trees for Cities is an independent charity which inspires people to plant and love trees worldwide. Established in 1993, Trees for Cities beautifies our cities through tree planting, community-led design, education and training initiatives in urban areas that need it most, throughout the UK and Ireland as well as internationally.

3. Friends of Clapham Common has been funded through the Community Spaces programme, a £57.5 million programme managed by Groundwork UK as an Award Partner to the Big Lottery Fund. Community Spaces is part of the Big Lottery Fund’s Changing Spaces initiative.

4. The main event will take place on January 14th. Other dates in January to follow.

Based on information supplied by Bob Robinson.