Dads and kids unite for world record attempt in Watford (From Watford Observer)

Dads and kids unite for world record attempt in Watford

5:14pm Saturday 5th December 2009

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A GROUP of dads teamed up with their children to take part in a world record attempt in Watford today.

Members of a dads and kids club at Westfield Children's Centre in Tolpits Lane, participated in a nationwide challenge to plant as many trees as possible in one hour.

The team of tiny green-fingers helped their dads to plant 30 trees in the grounds of the centre, where the group meets the first Saturday of every month.

The group was joined by planters across the country who set out at 11am this morning to smash the Guinness World record of 18,124 trees planted within 60 minutes at a single location.

Jude Allen, who co-ordinates the centre's Farming for All initiative, which promotes outdoor activities, said: "It's really important that kids get a chance to plant a tree. Everybody should be able to plant a tree in their lifetime. It's also a good opportunity to take part in a Guinness World Record."

Enjoying a slice of the fun at the centre in West Watford this morning was Dan Hall of Haydon Road, Bushey, and his 11-month-old daughter Izzy. He said: "The group gives somewhere for her to play with dad. It means mum gets to stay at home and have a bath. It's fun, you get to meet other dads and it's an easy way to make friends." Izzy may have been too young to get stuck into the challenge, but she was more than happy to be held by her dad and spur on other members of the group by smiling while clapping her hands with excitement.

Saplings planted included wild cherries, silver birches, and a giant Hazel tree.

Peter Fargus of Greatham Road, Bushey, brought along his three daughters Lola, four, and two-year-old twins Nina and Faye to participate in the planting session. He said: "I always come to the dad's group, it's really good. I really look forward to it. It's the only opportunity I get to take the girls to a dad's group. Its one of the highlights of our month."

Centre manager Jodie Noakes said: "Today is about making something like a world record doable for my families - that's what counts. Taking part is really important."

A group of conservation volunteers helped to smash the world record by planting more than 26,000 trees at Gransha Woods in Londonderry, Ireland, under one hour.

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