Recruits swap shopfloor for the great outdoors

27 Mar 2024

New recruits at Prudhoe’s largest employer swapped the shopfloor for the great outdoors to showcase their environmental credentials.

Eight youngsters, recently recruited onto the mill’s award-winning apprenticeship scheme, worked with the Friends of Eastwoods Park charity to plant dozens of fruit trees around the Town’s popular community sports ground – originally created in 1918 as the West Wylam Pit’s welfare field.

Prudhoe South County Councillor and Cabinet Member for Looking after our Communities Gordon Stewart said: "These trees are a great addition to this well-loved park and part of the continuous improvement of this Council owned facility.

"This is a really good example of partnership working alongside the community and local businesses in ensuring the park remains a popular attraction."

Project Manager Russ Greig said it was important the park – that has won a prestigious Green Flag Award for the last three years – continues to demonstrate improvements and increase biodiversity.

“We’re delighted to welcome the Essity apprentices, and the contribution they’ve made to Eastwoods Park has saved the Friends of Eastwoods Park many man-hours in achieving such a difference.

 “The trees – donated by Northumberland County Council – are a much-needed boost to improving tree numbers and biodiversity within the park, and also a great way to provide fruit that our community can use.

 “Since the creation of our charity in 2018, we have invested a vast amount of time and money in helping to transform Eastwoods Park for the benefit of our community.”