VOLUNTEERS at Leyburn Arts and Community Centre were joined by members of their youth cafe planting a new Victoria Plum tree purchased as part of a Green Teens community grant.

In more normal times the young people from the Youth Cafe meet every week. They had earlier applied for the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust Green Futures Youth Environmental Action Fund award.

The tree planting was part of the final section of the project, which unfortunately had been severely restricted because of Covid-19 rules. Previously they had planted blueberry bushes, rhubarb and herbs. An art structure was also created with the help of volunteer Howard Firth, which, as well as displaying plants, is designed to be a home for insects and other pollinators.

The group also purchased a mini-greenhouse which is intended for seedlings of flowers particularly attractive to bees. It is hoped these will be ready for the centre’s plant fayre next month.

As well as enjoying supporting the young people, the community centre’s garden volunteers have developed many science-based activities. Their “Bat to the Future” event will run during the year.

More information can be found by looking at www.leyburnarts centre.com.