Neville Funeral Service, one of the regions longest established businesses, welcomed over 200 people to a rather special commemorative tree-planting event at the Forest of Marston Vale in Bedfordshire on 24th February.
This is the eighth year that the company has organised the event which is held to help people remember loved ones they have lost and create a lasting memorial in their honour. More than 300 trees were planted during the day with a range of species used including Pedunculate Oak, Hornbeam, Silver Birch, Field Maple, Wild Cherry, Rowan and Common Alder. Everyone who planted a tree also received a personalised tree dedication certificate.
Vicky Trumper, Director at Neville Funeral Service said: “We like to think of our annual tree planting event as the creation of a dedication to the memory of someone special. Tree planting is a wonderful way for our clients to remember their loved ones and provides an opportunity to gather with others and share memories.
“Since we first started holding the event more than 2,500 people have taken part. We are always thrilled to see so many people turn out, along with friends and families. And we’d particularly like to thank our staff who work so hard each year to make sure these events are such a success.”
Linda Truscott, who attended the event with her family, said: “The tree-planting day was extremely well organised and the staff were all so pleasant and helpful. My grandchildren had a lovely afternoon and the whole family agreed it had been a very special thing to do.”
Tricia Jackson-Dunne added: “We’d like to say a very big ‘thank you’ to all the staff involved in the tree planting. It was a very beautiful and uplifting morning and the glorious sunshine helped immensely.”
As well as being a special commemorative event, the tree-planting will also help to contribute to the local environment. The Forest of Marston Vale is a charity that has been planting trees since the early 1990s, to transform the landscape and make the area a thriving place to live, work and play. More than 1.5 million trees have been planted so far with a goal of planting another five million in the future.
“The annual tree-planting event with Neville Funeral Service is always a very special day for us,” said Robina Ballard-Davis, Fundraising Officer for the Forest of Marston Vale. “Not only does it enable us to plant hundreds more trees, but we also get to share in this commemorative event which is helping to grow the Forest legacy for future generations.”
Neville Funeral Service is an independent family company which has been serving the community in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire and the surrounding areas for more than 140 years.
For more information about Neville Funeral Services, visit www.nevillefuneralservice.com
To find out more about the Forest of Marston Vale, visit www.marstonvale.org.
