Tamnaherin and Limavady schools benefit from tree planting project

Two local schools are the latest recipients to benefit from SuperValu and Centra’s tree planting initiative, which has seen 5,000 native trees planted across Northern Ireland this year.

Limavady Grammar School received 30 trees, including three fruit trees, to complete a border around the school and enhance their orchard, while in Tamnaherin, Our Lady of St Fatima Primary School received 25 trees including alder, oak, whitethorn and rowan, to establish a woodland area where pupils can learn about tree species, identify minibeasts and improve wellbeing.

The schools have received the trees through a partnership between the retail brands Supervalu and Centra – part of Musgrave NI – and Trees on the Land – a charity and not-for-profit project from the Green Economy Foundation. The project which launched in 2022, saw 15,000 native trees planted across 50 locations across Northern Ireland in three years, while this year a further 5,000 have been planted in 20 locations.

Colleagues from SuperValu and Centra stores across Northern Ireland have also supported the initiative by pulling on their wellies and visiting many of the tree planting locations.

Limavady Grammar School Year 8 teacher Peter Laird said: “We are very grateful for these trees – they will help us complete a boundary around the school, which also acts as a useful shelter belt near the playing pitch and will encourage wildlife. We also received fruit trees which we’ve planted to develop our orchard and improve the environment for all pupils.  Our thanks go to SuperValu, Centra and Trees on the Land for their support.”

ABOVE: Limavady Grammar School year 8 teacher Peter Laird (back, right) and year 8 pupils David, Aidan and Ben, welcome Louise Palmer from Musgrave (left), SuperValu Limavady store manager John Hamill (back left), plus Centra Limavady team member Jenny O’Kane and store manager Ruairi McBride, to their planting project.

Centra Limavady store manager Ruairi McBride added: “At Centra we are committed to supporting our local communities and taking actions that make a difference and we’re very pleased to sponsor these trees at Limavady Grammar School.  We were delighted to visit the pupils to find out more about their project - the trees will bring many benefits for the pupils, including improving biodiversity, encouraging wildlife, absorbing carbon and producing fruit.”

Commenting on the trees Our Lady of St Fatima’s Primary School received, primary one teacher Sinead McNicholl said: “Our new school was built last year and while the building is fantastic, the site itself lacks greenery. Thanks to the support of SuperValu and Trees on the Land, we can establish a small woodland area, and a calm and welcoming learning environment for the children, where they would learn about native species of trees, identify birds and use the area to complete outdoor learning activities, such as den-building and storytelling.”

SuperValu Eglinton store manager Colum Scott added: “We’re very pleased to sponsor tree planting at this local primary school. As well as working to make our stores more sustainable, we want to help make our communities more sustainable, and every local action makes a global impact. The trees will bring many learning, wellbeing and environmental benefits to the children and help the school create a fantastic outdoor classroom. We look forward to seeing how the trees grow over the years.”