Trees planted to commemorate the Queen’s Jubilee

Friday 11 March was the 70th day of the year in which Her Majesty the Queen marks the 70th year of her assession to the throne.

What better day to plant trees in commemoration of her Platinum Jubilee.

At the tree planting ceremony in Fletching on Friday members of the Parish Council were joined by Hilda Bradford, one of the oldest residents of the village, who has lived there for the whole of the Queens reign, pupils from Fletching CE Primary School, the Rev’d David Knight and the Buchanan family who kindly donated a second tree.

Guest of honour, and representing Her Majesty the Queen, was Kathy Gore OBE, Deputy Lord Lieutenant who is Chair of Friends of Sussex Hospices, a Trustee of the Sussex Community Foundation and patron of Chestnut Tree House, Martlets Hospice and the Whitehawk Inn Community Centre.

Both trees, planted on the village recreation ground, were blessed by Rev’d David Knight.  An English Oak was donated by the Parish Council and a Red Maple by the Buchanan family. The Oak representing the strength and stability of the Queen’s reign and the Maple in recognition of the Queen being Head of the Commonwealth and the Canadian troops that were stationed at nearby Sheffield Park during World War 2.

The tree planting was part of a national campaign led by the National Association of Civic Officers for as many civic leaders as possible to plant a tree on the same day, to mark the Jubilee. This initiative has the support of the Queen’s Green Canopy project and creates a legacy in honour of the Queen and chimes well with the country’s efforts to combat climate change.

Cllr Chris Rothery, Chairman of Fletching Parish Council said; “It is an honour to welcome the Deputy Lord Lieutenant, Kathy Gore to our village to participate in our tree planting ceremony. The Parish Council is delighted to be part of this unique celebration and to create a permanent legacy for generations to come”