MORE than 50 people came together to help improve conditions around a public car park in Ringwood.

Members of various community groups in the market town congregated to infill gaps in the hedge around Ringwood Car Park.

Organised by Ringwood Actions for Climate Emergency (RACE), the event involved the planting of mixed hedging to the north of short stay and in the middle of long stay car park.

With the full support of New Forest District Council, members of RACE together with Ringwood Carnival, Ringwood Men’s Shed, Rotary Club of Ringwood and Ringwood Benefice planted more than 560 saplings, including green and copper beech, hornbeam, yew and alder buckthorn.

Ben Salsbury, chair of Ringwood Carnival said: “The idea to improve the hedge was floated almost 12 months ago but had to be timed to coincide with the winter planting season. We loved being involved, it was a great atmosphere on a sunny Sunday. We hope to get involved in more plantings like this across Ringwood in the future.”

Colin Andrews, member of the RACE Trees team added: “The hedge will not only improve the look of the car park and give it a slightly more rural feel, but it will also help with pollution and climate change. Just as importantly, it will provide food for insects and homes for a variety of birds and as a result we hope to see greater biodiversity in the area.”

The whole planting was enabled by sponsorship from Abacus vehicle hire who have pledged £1,000 a month towards tree planting and nurturing in the Ringwood area.