A CLIMATE councillor teamed up with residents, staff and volunteers at a charity for a special tree-planting project.

Peter Schwier, Essex County Councillor and Climate Czar, was invited to the 14-acre site in Mistley to assist the team in planting apple and pear trees.

The trees were planted near the entrance and will form a natural avenue as visitors arrive on the site.

Harwich and Manningtree Standard: All Smiles - Teri, Graham and Alison, volunteers from Geo Paskells of ManningtreeAll Smiles - Teri, Graham and Alison, volunteers from Geo Paskells of Manningtree (Image: Acorn Village)

Mr Schwier said: “It was wonderful to come to Acorn Village and help with this project.

“I have also learnt a lot more about their care of adults with learning disabilities”

Harwich and Manningtree Standard: Having a Dig - Alice Stutter, Facilities Manager, and Ally Last, Grounds and Porterage AssistantHaving a Dig - Alice Stutter, Facilities Manager, and Ally Last, Grounds and Porterage Assistant (Image: Acorn Village)

The planting of these trees is part of several projects Acorn Village is able to do thanks to a £100,000 National Lottery Heritage Grant.

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The charity is also creating a new wheelchair-accessible kitchen garden that is unique to north-east Essex.

This will involve installing a shed, gates, permanent gazebo, water supply, sanitary station, paths and compost bins.

Harwich and Manningtree Standard: Teamwork - Jamie Reason, Grounds Services Leader, and Graham Long from Geo PaskellsTeamwork - Jamie Reason, Grounds Services Leader, and Graham Long from Geo Paskells (Image: Acorn Village)

Works will also see the replacing of lawn and fence, creating raised beds for vegetables and planting bulbs, wildflowers and trees.

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Acorn Village is converting an existing space into a garden work room with apple pressing facilities.

The room will be decorated with tiles designed by school children.

Harwich and Manningtree Standard: Climate Boss - Councillor Peter Schwier planting a treeClimate Boss - Councillor Peter Schwier planting a tree (Image: Acorn Village)

The facility can then be used by the community and service-users through apple pressing days and workshops using produce picked on the site.

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The final project involves establishing a nature walk around the site by building a footpath through the site, researching the site’s history, installing interpretation boards and planting a meadow area.

For the tree-planting project, the  volunteer group consisted of helpers from Geo Paskells of Manningtree, Ken Muir supplier of fruit trees, the Essex Climate Change Commission.

Harwich and Manningtree Standard: Helping Nature - Residents and staff planting a tree in MistleyHelping Nature - Residents and staff planting a tree in Mistley (Image: Acorn Village)

Angenita Hardy-Teekens, project lead, added: “It was a lovely occasion for everyone to come together and enjoy planting these trees.

“We would like to thank all the volunteers for their time and help.

Harwich and Manningtree Standard: Seeding - Volunteers planting along the pathSeeding - Volunteers planting along the path (Image: Acorn Village)

“We believe the natural environment can be very good for the mental and physical health of everyone at Acorn Village.

“We are grateful to be able to do these projects thanks to National Lottery players.”