The surface mine in Bradley, near Leadgate, County Durham, opened in 2018. There were approximately 340,000 tonnes of coal collected from the site which closed in August 2020.
Mining such a large quantity of coal meant that the landscape needed some restoration. It is hoped this will encourage wildlife by creating excellent habitats, as well as allowing the local community to enjoy a new woodland area. Banks Mining has started to plant 36,000 new trees and shrubs, 93 per cent of which will be broadleaf trees.
Students from The Orchard were invited to help plant trees in an effort to create new woodland. The students saw this as a fantastic way to learn more about their immediate environment and know that their tree-planting efforts will be there for generations to come!
It was a rather chilly afternoon on the hill, but the students got stuck in and persevered. Being part of local history and helping to save the planet is a privilege.