A Thank You to Our Grounds Team

There was a pause in work outside at Truro School Prep as staff came together to thank the Grounds Team, tree surgeons and builders who have been working tirelessly since Storm Goretti to repair damage, clear debris, restore the site and make it safe.

Organised by Ms Cad, staff provided homemade cakes, hot drinks and other treats as a small gesture of thanks to acknowledge the hard work taking place across the Prep site.

During the event, Head Gardener Tom Ladgen shared news of new growth already prospering in the woodlands along the drive. He reflected, “While it was sad to see some of the larger, older Monterey pines lost in the storm, the openings in the canopy where these trees once stood have flooded the woodland floor with light. This has provided space and light for self-seeded species, including a young hazel and a couple of more established beech trees, to grow. This is the opportunity they were waiting for!

“This will also create a microclimate for plant species to grow and invertebrate species to thrive. Woodland butterfly species such as the Speckled Wood, Gatekeeper and Holly Blue especially like these warm, sunny spots.

“It’s not the end for the fallen pine either. Fallen trees will be made safe and left in situ, providing a habitat for fungi and invertebrate species. Around 650 species of saproxylic beetles depend on this habitat, either feeding on the dead wood itself or on the fungi growing on it.

“As the wood slowly breaks down, nutrients are released into the soil, feeding newly self-seeded trees. This change in the structure of our woodland will increase biodiversity across the Truro School Prep campus through the many microhabitats it creates. The team and I are excited to see how nature regenerates these areas and look forward to seeing new plant and animal species colonise in the future.”

He concluded, “Can we also take this opportunity to say a big thank you to Toby and Rob from Truro Tree Services for their expertise over the last two weeks, clearing the site and dealing with some of the more urgent trees, as well as the team’s ongoing work on the playing fields.”

Thanks to Ms Cad and to the staff who baked beautiful cakes for the team to enjoy. We look forward to sharing more news on the post-storm regeneration in the coming months.