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More than two years ago Storm Dennis wreaked havoc on rugby clubs up and down the country. Pitches and clubhouses were flooded and herculean efforts were made to get these community hubs back up and running.

Blackwood RFC was no different with the pitch at their Glan-yr-Afon Park ground flooded by the Sirhowy River.

The riverbank has since been repaired (with the club footing the bill) and volunteers have now planted around 420 trees, donated by the Woodland Trust, to help prevent future flooding and encourage wildlife.

The tree-planting event was on Saturday March 19 with almost 100 volunteers helping out. Such was the effort that all trees were planted by midday.

Simon Nye, who is the club’s volunteer operations manager and funding co-ordinator, said: “The Woodland Trust donated 420 saplings which we planted along 125 metres of riverbank.

“We involved the club’s mini and junior sections who helped with the planting, as well as parents and volunteers.

“Everyone was duly fed soup and rolls for their efforts.

“We hope that over a period of time the children can see their trees grow and flourish and within five to ten years become an established hedgerow to encourage wildlife to the river.”

Club Secretary Wayne Hughes thanked everyone who attended and said: “We had everyone from six-year-olds to 17-year-olds and their parents helping.”

A Woodland Trust spokesperson said: “Brilliant work by the rugby club. Every year we send out free trees to schools and community groups so people can strike their own blow against climate change, and help provide habitat for wildlife.

“Trees on riverbanks are especially important as they slow down the runoff of rain and so can lessen flooding downstream.”