MEMBERS of an environmental group hosted their annual Christmas tree sale on Saturday.
Conservation volunteers from Econet were in Caversham Court Gardens where they sold trees they had harvested the previous day.
Also on offer were holly, mistletoe, pine cones, willow wreaths and other naturally made decorations.
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They had more than 100 trees available and, by the end of their sale, just a handful were left. Proceeds help fund the group’s running costs for its weekly working parties across the year.
There were stalls from BBOWT (Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust) and the Reading RSPB group, fairtrade items, and honey and beeswax products made by members of the Reading and District Beekeepers.
If that wasn’t enough, visitors could meet Peter, a wood turner, who sold some of the hand-crafted goods he had created.
Tricia Marcouse, who helped at the event, said: “People really enjoyed themselves, it’s a very social occasion.”
The sale took place in cold temperatures: “We were all frozen, as we were standing around a lot, but people are friendly and it is an enjoyable event. A lot of people come back year after year,” Ms Marcouse said.
“The people who came spent more with us.”
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The group’s activities continue across the winter, with weekly working parties on Wednesdays, and local groups carrying out work at weekends. Volunteers are always welcomed.
“On Sunday, December 10, we’ll be planting hedges at Emmer Green,” Ms Marcouse said. “The work keeps going. At the moment, it is tree planting season, which has reduced due to spring starting earlier and autumn ending later. It used to be October to March, now it is late November to mid-February at the latest.”
She encouraged people to visit the group’s website to find out more about volunteering opportunities.
For details, log on to: www.econetreading.org.uk
