Visitors to Bristol Road Cemetery will notice tree planting taking place. Councillor Kathy Pearce (Bridgwater Westover) the  Climate Emergency Portfolio Holder, said: “The planting is aimed to improve the appearance of the Cemetery and to create a living memorial. It is also an opportunity for Bridgwater Town Council to provide improved habitat for wildlife and play its part in increasing tree cover within the town, which is currently at 7%; way below national and European averages of 13% and 35% respectively.”

To date, the Bridgwater Town Council Grounds staff, including newly appointed Head Groundsperson, Matt Mills, and Grounds Operative Adam Johnson (pictured) have planted four new ornamental pear trees (Pyrus calleryana ‘Chanticleer’) to fill in gaps along the avenue. Four more will follow in the near future, all to match the existing trees.

Cllr Pearce continued “Twenty Silver Birches (Betula utilis jacquemontii ‘Snowqueen’) have been planted  to form a circle on the area where unmarked graves are sited, which until now has been an area of bare grass. This area is where burials took place of those who could not afford a headstone. Therefore, the Birches have been planted to both create a living memorial and to provide an interesting visual and environmental feature.”