A green-fingered group of schoolchildren have helped a Llyn company plant more than 500 trees as part of an ongoing commitment to reduce the company’s carbon footprint.

Harlech Foodservice, which has its headquarters on Parc Bwyd, Llanystumdwy, near Criccieth, enlisted the skills of 10 youngsters, aged between seven and 11 from nearby Ysgol Llanystumdwy to help with the green project to transform a narrow piece of waste ground on the edge of its main site.

The firm, which employs around 200 people, ordered in more than 500 trees and shrubs, which included a variety of species such as hazel, hawthorn, apple, hazelnut, rowan, dogwood, dog rose, blackthorn and common crab apple.

Gill Blease, Harlech Foodservice marketing manager, was one of those leading the project and joined in the morning’s planting activities.

She said: “We take our green responsibilities very seriously so we have been working hard for some time now to look at ways of reducing our carbon footprint.

“This has included installing solar panels on the roof of the main offices here and replacing all our reps’ company cars with hybrid models.

“Tree planting is part of our ongoing commitment to reducing our carbon footprint and the impact we are having on the environment around us but it has other useful benefits too.

“It is great for the team here, for both their mental and physical wellbeing.

“Any staff member was welcome to come down and help with the tree planting and make the most of getting out of the office and into the fresh air for the morning.

“It is also transforming what is currently a piece of waste land into something which is much more visually appealing, attracting wildlife and creating spaces for our staff to go and enjoy during their breaks from work.”

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