Children muck in with Tiny Forest project
KEY WORKERS’ KIDS HELP WITH LAUNCH OF TREES SCHEME
HUNDREDS of trees are being planted by key worker schoolchildren at a Leicester school as part of a campaign to create a network of urban micro forests in cities across the UK.
Leicester is one of the first cities in the UK to take part in the Tiny Forest project.
The city council is working with environmental charity Earthwatch Europe to bring the Tiny Forest initiative to life at Queensmead Primary Academy, in Braunstone.
The project will see 600 native trees planted densely in a tenniscourt-sized plot of land on the school grounds, helping to maximise the biodiversity benefits per square metre of land.
Located in urban settings, Tiny Forests aim to provide an oasis for plants, insects, birds and small mammals, helping to connect people with nature in their local area.
The initiative is funded through the Ovo Foundation’s £1 million Climate Changers Programme. Green energy company Ovo is working with environmental charity Earthwatch to plant over 100 Tiny Forests in urban areas over the next two years.
Around 60 key worker pupils are involved in the tree planting sessions led by the council’s sustainable schools team, with safe social distancing in place.
The Tiny Forest planting method used – called the Miyawaki method – involves planting native trees closely together, in loose, nutrientrich soil with no chemicals or fertilisers. This encourages accelerated forest development, with low management and maintenance requirements after the first two years, and helps rapidly promote biodiversity.
The forest will play an important role in supporting the school’s environmental education.
Earthwatch will provide training and resources for the school to help use the Tiny Forest as an inspiring outdoor classroom. Once Covid-19 restrictions have been lifted and it is safe to do so, immersive workshops will be held in the forest, allowing the children to learn about nature and the environment.
Citizen scientists, from the community, will also be invited to help collect data and assess the benefits of their Tiny Forest, including carbon absorption, flood mitigation, thermal comfort and impact on biodiversity. Liz Latham, principal at Queensmead Primary Academy, said: “At Queensmead, we champion opportunities for pupils to develop an awareness of their responsibilities as local, national and global citizens both now and in the future.
“This project will support our ongoing work developing pupil character, as well as our continuing drive to broaden pupils’ experiences outside of the classroom.’’
Deputy city mayor Councillor Adam Clarke, who leads on environment, said: “I am really proud we have been able to bring a Tiny Forest to Leicester and be part of the launch of this fabulous initiative in the UK.
“As well as creating an important habitat for wildlife in the heart of the city, the new Tiny Forest will provide a tremendous resource, building on the environmental education provided as part of our citywide Eco-Schools programme.
“It is a very tangible way of helping young people connect with vital issues around biodiversity, sustainability and the climate emergency.”
Louise Hartley, Tiny Forest programme manager at Earthwatch Europe, said: “At a time of great social and environmental challenges for individuals, communities and government, Tiny Forests present rich and varied opportunities to partner in tackling the environmental crisis, connect people with nature and make a valuable contribution to science. We hope this latest Tiny forest in Leicester will inspire others to support a Tiny Forest in their local area.”
Caroline Silke, head of Ovo Foundation, said: “By planting 12 Tiny Forests in urban communities across the UK, we will help connect children with their local green spaces and show them how they can protect it for future generations.”
I am really proud we have been able to bring a Tiny Forest to Leicester and be part of the launch
Coun Clarke
CITY ONE OF ‘HOTSPOTS’ TO GET FUNDING
MILLIONS of pounds has been announced to help tackle violence and murder in places including Leicester.
The government is providing an extra £30 million funding pot to target “violence hotspots” in a bid to crack down on murders, knife crime and other serious offences.
Only 18 out of the 41 police forces in England and Wales will get the money and Leicestershire Police will be one of them, due to crime levels in the county.
Leicestershire Police, which opened murder investigations into two fatal stabbings within four days of each other last week, will have to come up with a plan for using the money and make a bid, which will then have to be approved.
Home Secretary Priti Patel said the spending is part of more than £130 million being made available in the coming year to tackle violent crime and make Britain safer.
It will also pay for renewing and expanding existing projects – like those challenging the behaviour of domestic abusers and paying for investigations into gang material on social media – as well as funding schemes, like £23 million being set aside for more early intervention programmes to steer young people away from a life of crime.
As part of these projects there are plans for trained professionals to intervene and provide support to youngsters when they are taken into police custody or end up in hospital with an injury, the Home Office said.
The announcement comes ahead of the introduction of a criminal justice Bill which will seek to give police more stop and search powers to tackle those known to carry knives and other weapons. The Bill also seeks to place a duty on public bodies, such as the police and education authorities, to work together to address violence, as well as require councils – and not just police and the coroner – to look into deaths where weapons are involved to help prevent more tragedies. Ms Patel said she was “determined to cut crime” and make the country’s streets safer by giving police the resources they need, but added: “When it comes to gangs and serious violence, we must also tackle underlying causes.” Assistant Chief Constable Jackie Sebire, who leads the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s work on serious violent crime, said tackling serious violence was a “priority” for forces. She said: “Even during the pandemic we have seen serious street-based violence continue and particularly violence involving young people as both victims and perpetrators.”
Last week saw 24-year-old Connor Black stabbed to death in Syston and then the fatal stabbing of Geetika Goyal.
We have seen serious street-based violence and particularly violence involving young people
Ms Sebire
LEARNING HE WAS BEING SENT BEHIND BARS
A COURT custody officer suffered a broken nose after being headbutted by a defendant who was angry at being given a detention sentence.
Harry Morley became violent at Leicester Magistrates’ Court as he was led through the public concourse and downstairs towards the cells.
Friends who attended to support him were shouting and causing a scene as he struggled and resisted in protest at the 20-week sentence for a battery and a harassment offence.
The unprovoked attack on the 52-year-old custody officer landed Morley before a judge at Leicester Crown Court, where he was given an even longer sentence.
Morley, 21, admitted causing actual bodily harm to the officer on January 28 last year.
Lucia Harrington, prosecuting, said as he was escorted from the magistrates’ courtroom, Morley began swearing and said: “I’m not going anywhere until I have a fag.”
He was taken down the public stairs to a waiting area in the main building. Although two females were trying to calm him down, other people shouted threats towards two custody officers and a member of security staff.
The prosecutor said: “The defendant indicated he wanted to hurt himself and was struggling.
“All of a sudden he headbutted one of the officers in the face, making contact with his nose which began bleeding.”
Morley found that amusing and began laughing, the court was told.
He then tried to take his handcuffs off and attempted tying a ligature (clothing) around his own neck.
The officer, who suffered an undisplaced fracture to his nose, was left “shaken up” and it “knocked his selfconfidence”.
Sentencing, Recorder Graham Huston said: “After appearing at the magistrates’ court you were frustrated at being sentenced and refused to go with custody officers – who were adopting a passive role – and tried to get away from them.
“You resisted being reasonable and were aggressive and abusive.”
He said that following the headbutt:
“You thought it was funny and laughed at seeing the blood on his face, clearly pleased with yourself.
“Photographs show how serious and nasty the injury was.
“You should feel ashamed.”
Morley, of Loughborough Road, Coalville, bowed his head in the dock during the hearing and appeared tearful at times.
The recorder said he was not surprised Morley was jailed by the magistrates because he had failed to comply with previous community-based sentences, leaving them with “no option” but to lock him up.
He said the injured officer was entitled to look to the courts for protection, adding: “He was trying to carry out the court’s orders, he did nothing to provoke this assault.
“He was trying to prevent an unlawful escape.
“I accept you regret your actions.
“You were released from the magistrates’ sentence 10 months ago – but you now have to return to prison.
“I take into account your mental health issues, but that doesn’t detract from your responsibility for your actions, although I accept custody will have an impact on your mental health.”
Priya Bakshi, mitigating, said: “It was the first time he’d been sentenced to custody and he’d been advised by his then solicitor he wouldn’t be going to prison. It came as a shock.
“Threats made to officers didn’t come from Mr Morley to begin with, but from the group that came to support him and it clearly riled him up.
“His letter to the court expresses genuine remorse and an acknowledgement of his wrongdoing.”
She said Morley’s mental health further deteriorated while he was in custody and he attempted suicide. Miss Bakshi added: “He is trying to get back on track. He says he’ll do anything to avoid custody.”
Morley was jailed for 10 months. thoroughly
You thought it was funny and laughed at seeing the blood on his face, clearly pleased with yourself
Recorder