School creates woodland thanks to cash boost

An Island school has created a new woodland area thanks to an important cash boost from the Manx Lottery Trust.

After receiving a trust grant of £700, Foxdale School has planted a small forest area made up of a mixture of tree species to better attract a wide range of insects, birds and wildlife.

The small woodland includes 30 mature saplings and is also aiming to offset the school's carob footprint for the future.

Teacher at the school, Chris Kirk, says: "We were hoping to involve as many parents and children as possible to set up the new woodland, but Covid-19 changed that as we only had a small window of planting time to get the trees in.

"Consequently, the week the school was closed, myself and a small team of helpers set about planting the trees - we even hired a mini-digger in order to speed things along.

"The woodland is a win-win because as well as being a green initiative, the area will be a great place for the children to play."

As the wood is located at the far end of the playing field, pupils and the local community will still have plenty of room for sports and games.