St Albans schoolchildren meet Princess Beatrice at Heartwood Forest (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

St Albans schoolchildren meet Princess Beatrice at Heartwood Forest

1:31pm Monday 22nd March 2010 in

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CHILDREN from a St Albans school had the chance to meet Princess Beatrice during a tree planting session at Heartwood Forest today.

The giant woodland, which is taking shape in Sandridge, has been home to a whole rage of people keen to develop the land.

Today's royal visit was a first for the Woodland Trust, which last year launched the project for the 850-acre plot of land - which will become England's largest native forest.

Armed with their wellies, spades and saplings pupils from Highfield Primary School got stuck in with the help of 21-year-old Princess Beatrice.

Speaking about her visit the princess said: “It is fantastic to see what the Woodland Trust is doing here and how it will develop.

“It's so interesting to see the children exploring the forest and being around nature just like we should be.

“I have planted my hazel tree and when will I ever get to come to a forest on a Monday and plant a tree – it's great.”

The university student, who helped the Year 1 children plant their saplings after placing her own hazel tree in the ground, said she will be keen to come back and track her tree growing.

Shireen Dean, who came along with her six-year-old daughter Thara, said her daughter loves getting involved with nature.

She added: “Her teacher also loves the outdoors and the school has a garden at the front so the children can be involved.

“I don't think Thara really understood who Princess Beatrice was but at least now when she sees her on TV she can say she's met her.”

Louise Neicho, site manager at Heartwood Forest, said she was fascinated by the princess' interest in the woodland.

Over the past few months a number of tree planting sessions have taken place at the forest involving schools, business and various groups and in November the forest took part in a world record planting event.