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Leeds woodland planted in memory of horse
REYAS SPINNEY: Monica Brooks at the newly planted woodland named in memory of her horse Freya.
Monica Brook has planted a lasting woodland legacy in Leeds in memory of her beloved horse Freya.
For the last 20 years Ms Brook, who lives in Yeadon, has longed to buy a large field for her pet horse to stretch her legs in.
Retired Ms Brook finally purchased a three-acre plot on Carlton Lane, between Guiseley and Leeds Bradford Airport, last summer – but just six months earlier, she made the heartbreaking decision to put Freya to sleep.
But now, as part of her retirement project, she has planted over 1,200 trees in the plot, which she has lovingly dedicated to her late 27-year-old mare, who was called Freya’s Spinney.
Ms Brook said: “Planting woodland has been in the back of my mind for years.
“I had Freya for 22 years and used to ride her around the local area. It was heartbreaking to put her to sleep but now she has this fantastic legacy.”
Ms Brook was inspired to complete the project after seeing broadcaster and conservationist Phil Drabble present a programme nearly 30 years ago from a woodland he had planted.
She decided to contact the Woodland Trust to ask for help about how to plant the trees.
They sent a team of six people to help plant almost 1,200 oak, silver birch and hazel trees in just under four hours as part of their MOREwoods scheme.
Ms Brook said: “It will probably be five years before it looks like a proper little woodland.
“It’s just feeling that you have done something that will be like a legacy and that you have left your mark to make something better.
“For more than 20 years I had wanted to buy a field for my horse but I was never successful with my offers and as Freya got older, I realized that a subsequent use for a field could be to plant trees.”
Ms Brook is now hoping to dig a pond once the trees are established and the area will be open to members of the public from the neighbouring bridle way.
She added: “There is just one more tree to be planted – my Jubilee oak.”
For more information about the Woodland Trust and the MOREwoods scheme, visit: www.woodlandtrust.org.uk
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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