Wealden dignitaries plant trees and visit local village school

A special tree planting ceremony has taken place at Groombridge Station

A special tree planting ceremony has taken place at Groombridge Station

It’s as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy tree planting initiative.

The scheme is a national initiative to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee this year, celebrating her 70 years of service, and will also replace some trees lost in the Great Storm of 1987.

Three Scots Pines were delivered to the planting location by train giving passengers an on-board experience. The trees were planted at a far enough distance away from the line to not cause obstruction as they can reach up to 35m in height and can live for more than 700 years.

The aim of The Queen’s Green Canopy scheme is to protect our landscapes and to give quintessential features back to our woodlands, encouraging new life and habitats of plants, fungi, insects and other fauna.

Guests who joined the event included Wealden District Council’s chairman, Councillor Ron Reed, Wealden councillor Johanna Howell and Withyham Parish Council chair Diana Kelly, who are all pictured on the day.

Also Blackboys Primary School welcomed Wealden District Council’s chairman Councillor Ron Reed and ward Councillor Ann Newton to a ‘golden assembly’.

The councillors spoke to Years 5 and 6 about the work the council does within the district and their roles within the authority. During the assembly children asked questions about littering, road safety and the environment – prompting Councillor Reed to discuss the Queen’s Green Canopy, a tree planting initiative that Wealden is supporting for Her Majesty’s 70^th Jubilee celebrations.

After the Q&A session, the councillors gave out reading certificates and awards to children who were nominated by their teachers for good work in class.

Councillor Ron Reed said, “I enjoyed visiting Blackboys School and presenting the children with awards. It was great to see so many children being awarded for their achievements and showing passion for the environment and each other.”

To find out more about the chairman or vice-chairman and to invite them to an event, you can complete an online engagement form at https://www.wealden.gov.uk/councillors-and-committees/chairman-of-the-council/ or contact the democratic services manager, Wendy Newton May, via email at wendy.newton-may@wealden.gov.uk.

Councillors Ron Reed and Ann Newton are pictured with pupils at Blackboys School.