GREEN-FINGERED residents in the Croft area improved their environment and marked the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee by planting trees on the Evelyn Street Railway Embankment on Friday and Saturday.

The 60 trees mark the 60 years of the Queen’s reign and were planted down the path which represents the original route of the railway track from Evelyn railway bridge along the embankment to Pipers Way.

On Friday some residents worked with children and teachers from Croft Primary School and also the Swindon Ranger Team to plant some of the trees.

The children will act as junior tree wardens to see these trees grow through their school career and beyond.

Then on Saturday, about 70 residents came along to finish off the work. There was refreshments for all and lots of work to help with.

Colin Doubleday, chairman of Pipers Area Residents’ Association, which organised the event, said: “It was a really fun thing. We saw lots of people who we hadn’t seen before and they seemed really keen on being involved.

“There were some families who planted a family tree and almost adopted one. And generally what people were saying to us is we must do some more things like this.”

The trees were donated by the Woodland Trust, via Paul Bradbury, a local contractor, and the planting was facilitated by a community grant obtained by Coun Nadine Watts (Lab, Old Town).

The whole event was organised by local volunteer, Wiltshire tree warden and residents’ association member, Adrian Downing.