AN EXCITING plan to create memorial woods on land overlooking Windhill and Wrose began this weekend as volunteers started planting native British trees.

Dubbed The Big Plant, it will see 7,000 saplings planted across the ward and result in a remembrance memorial wood to mark the centenary of World War One.

Bradford Council are working with environmental group Forest of Bradford who joined with local residents to begin work on Saturday on land above Wrose Brow Road.

Ward councillor Alex Ross-Shaw is spearheading the project and decided to include a remembrance aspect to the Wrose Brow planting after encouragement from the community,

“People in Windhill really liked the idea of some sort of memorial wood so at our last Neighbourhood Forum we agreed to make Wrose Brow a memorial wood in addition to our plans for a remembrance wood in Wrose."

Cllr Ross-Shaw explained the idea was to involve local people, particularly school and youth groups, to create woods which would focus memories on local soldiers who gave their lives, but also create assets which looked to the future.

"We’ve involved various groups including Windhill Scouts to bid for funding for remembrance features, but we’re all mucking in to plant the trees now so people can enjoy them as soon as possible,” Cllr Ross-Shaw said.

"We're planting a wide range of native broadleaf trees including oak, rowan and silver birch, but also things like hazel, holly and crab apple so people can come and harvest and use what grows here.

"We've had a really good turn out of volunteers on our first day and appreciate that people have joined us from the local community," Cllr Ross-Shaw said.

Forest of Bradford supporter Helen Marriott from Thornton said it was a chance to make a contribution to local life and also help the environment.

And Richard Dillon, a MacMillan nurse in the area said planting trees could directly benefit the health of people in Windhill and Wrose by cutting air pollution.

"New scientific research has shown trees absorb harmful particulates which come from diesel engines and are responsible for causing asthma and other breathing problems.

"So the more trees we plant, the better it is for everybody," Mr Dillon said.