On a very hot Saturday morning 6 members from Soroptimist International of King’s Lynn joined with Harding’s Pits volunteers to carry out a litter pick and weeding to create more space for young plants to flourish.
Following consultation with residents the area was developed in 2004 based on a strong feeling that the community wanted to have a ‘wild’ area and not a manicured ‘park’. The proposals included new paths, meadow areas, tree planting and the retention of bramble thickets that had already grown on some parts of the site. The initial work was undertaken in late 2004, culminating in volunteers planting more than 400 trees on a December Saturday.
Since then, the Harding’s Pits Community Association have worked to develop the site, which now covers 10 acres and includes a recently added community orchard and the Beuys Acorns oak circle. (For more information on the site and how to volunteer visit https://www.hardings-pits.org.uk/)
Bea Knights, Programme Action Officer says –
“On 5 June it’s World Environment Day, Soroptimist International is very proud to have general consultative status at the UN Commission on the Status of Women, with Soroptimist International Great Britain and Ireland having special consultative status and celebrate the day this year under the motto “Women leading green futures”.
Climate change affects everyone, but not equally. Women and girls are often among the most impacted, while also being powerful drivers of change. This year we have combined our club’s efforts with our “50 for 50” pledge by helping protect new planting at Harding’s Pits, whilst observing this important international day a little earlier.
World Environment Day is hosted this year by Azerbaijan who press for climate action saying, “The planet doesn’t argue. It doesn’t negotiate. It sends signals—rising seas, raging wildfires, heatwaves, melting glaciers. We said 1.5°C was the limit. We are crossing it.” Soroptimists International King’s Lynn members help raise awareness and take action”.