On a wet and blustery day in March 2019 Anne R and Hazel joined a team of WI ladies to plant 100 oak saplings on the Slindon Estate. This initiative organised by Al Menzies, is an event to mark 100 years of our West Sussex Federation. In conjunction with the National Trust it is part of the largest woodland restoration undertaken by NT. The Slindon Estate was cleared of much of it’s ancient woodland during the First World War to provide timber for pit props & trench supports. During the Second World War it was planted to increase food production.  After farming ceased on the estate in 2013 the Rise of Northwood project began. Our Federation effort is part of this community project. Gathering at the meeting point it was still a mile walk along country tracks & paths before reaching the designated planting site. Here Gabby & Hannah, the NT wardens, were on hand to provide tuition & support for our activity. They had already marked the planting positions and even dug a few planting holes. As the weather worsened we were pleased to have each other for support,  bracing ourselves against the wind. Hannah’s dog Twiggy was there to enjoy the scene, at one stage believing our little oak tree was a play stick! Sadly Anne is not in the pictures as she was busy capturing the scene as Official Observer, although she did also assist with planting.