VOLUNTEERS were braving the foul weather to plant trees high in the Yorkshire Pennines at the weekend to help prevent flooding in the valleys below.

Treesponsibility, which is based in the Calder Valley in West Yorkshire, has planted more than a quarter of a million trees to re-forest the Pennines since the group was founded in 1998.

The group also campaigns against the burning of moorland by landowners to create conditions for grouse breeding and lucrative shooting parties. Burning the moor contributes to flooding.

Dongria Kondh, co-ordinator of the group, said: “Tree roots break up the clay soil allowing water to filter down into the soil rather than running off the surface.

“The leaves and branches also catch the rainfall before it hits the ground.”

As reported in the Morning Star, two weeks ago Ms Kondh launched a hunger strike outside the Leeds offices of Natural England, which is part of the government’s Environment Department, for failing to take action against landowners who burn off water-retaining moss to breed grouse.

The landowners — who are subsidised by taxpayers — also dig drainage ditches which channel flood water into the valleys below during rainstorms.

Calder Valley communities were devastated by recent floods.

Natural England responded to Ms Kondh’s hunger strike by launching an investigation into the effects of moorland burning.
Meanwhile the tree planting activities will continue.

“We are always on the look-out for landowners who will offer new land to be planted,” she said.

Treesponsibility can be contacted at [email protected] and you can visit its website at www.treesponsibility.com.