A COMMUNITY group in Emmbrook has applied for a £10,000 grant to drain part of Joel Park, and needs your help.
The Holt Copse Conservation Volunteers (HCCV), which manages Holt Copse and parts of Joel Park on behalf of Wokingham Town Council, have applied for the grant from the Aviva Community Fund to finance a project to improve drainage in a flood-prone part of the park, and are asking for readers’ help to vote for the campaign.
The area is home to an historic avenue of red oak trees, known as Connaught Avenue, which the group desperately want to save.
Joint chairman of HCCV, Mike Saynor said: “Connaught Avenue was planted in 1935 to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of King George V, but many of the trees have died or are unhealthy, primarily because the land is waterlogged for much of the year. Unless new drains are installed to replace the original ones that have silted-up, the young trees that HCCV have planted to replace the dead ones are unlikely to thrive.
“Draining the area will also allow residents to use more of the park for more of the year.”
Voting for the Aviva Community Fund is now open and runs until November 21.
To vote visit https://community-fund.aviva.co.uk/voting/project/view/17-3025
