Flowers for Queen Elizabeth II will help grow Jubilee trees

Flowers laid by Wealden residents following Queen Elizabeth II’s death will help to grow the trees planted to commemorate her Platinum Jubilee.

The flowers that mourners left at Hailsham War Memorial were brought back to Wealden District Council’s offices after the mourning period where the plastic and packaging were disposed of.

They were then taken to Wealden Crematorium at Horam where the flowers will be composted.

The compost will be used to feed the Jubilee trees that were planted in the district earlier this year to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee in June.

Wealden District Council’s portfolio holder for Commercial and Economic Development Philip Lunn said, “Whereas I had expectations from our residents, as a mark of their respect, it was moving that there were so many flowers to honour Queen Elizabeth II following her death.

“Our empathetic and respectful treatment of the flowers at the Crematorium allows us to continue to honour Queen Elizabeth II, by using them to help support the trees we planted for her Platinum Jubilee.”

All written tributes that were left with flowers have been collected, dried, and cleaned and will be archived at The Keep in Brighton, an archive and historical resource centre for East Sussex and Brighton & Hove.