Suffolk village of Cockfield, near Bury St Edmunds, works with Cockfield Primary School on its ninth village green, Jeffreys Green

A Suffolk village now has nine greens – thought to be the most of any village in the county – and schoolchildren have been recognised for their involvement in the project.

A plaque has been unveiled at Cockfield’s newest green, called Jeffreys Green, to commemorate Cockfield C of E Primary School children planting a hornbeam tree.

Pupils have also planted 1,000 snowdrops at the green which will provide a seasonal show to be enjoyed by the community in years to come.

Parish councillor Robin Morley explained the parish council purchased the field from Suffolk County Council, adding the parish council was one of the partners in a housing development project of more than 50 homes, also called Jeffreys Green, which has access to the new village green.

The 1.5-hectare green is also walking distance from Cockfield Primary, which was invited by the parish council to be involved in the planting.

Headteacher Marc Gilbert said this project was one of many ‘which has helped to keep our commitment to our local area and community at the forefront of our vision’.

He said: “Cockfield Primary School is proud to take part in nurturing and caring for our local area.”

On June 7, Birch Class (Year 5 and 6) enjoyed a second visit to Jeffreys Green to be presented with the plaque to commemorate the children planting the green's hornbeam tree.

Mr Gilbert said the tree, which was planted in January, would ‘grow and flourish’ as would the children of the school. “They are looking forward to seeing it grow along with them,” he added.

He also said that during the slightly chiller months, Year 5 and 6 also planted 1,000 snowdrops, a huge task for a small class.

On June 7, the class were accompanied on their walk by Mr Morley and his wife Ann who had helped with the planting earlier in the year.

“Mr Morley, who has been instrumental in the development of Jeffreys Green, enthralled the children with his knowledge of plants along our walk,” added Mr Gilbert.

Mr Morley spoke of the importance of involving the school in the project, and added the green was an outdoor resource for the children to enjoy. “They can enjoy the nature and the history,” he said.

Mr Morley said the name Jeffreys Green was after the Reverend Richard Jeffreys who founded the school in the mid-19th century and was also involved in bringing the railway to Cockfield.

He said this newest village green had been officially registered as Cockfield’s ninth green, and to mark this another scroll has been added to the village sign.

Mr Morley believes Cockfield has the most greens of any village in Suffolk.

When asked why Cockfield has so many, he said: “We are one of the largest villages in Suffolk. It’s historical, basically. It goes back to Doomsday.

“We thought with the development of Jeffreys Green and over 50 houses and the link with the school it was important to create a new village green.”