Salisbury school one of 69 across the country to receive Queen's Celebration Tree
A ceremony was held yesterday (Tuesday 5th October)
A Salisbury school has become the first in Wiltshire and just one of 69 across the country to receive a Celebration Tree as part of the The Queen’s Green Canopy.
Pembroke Park Primary on Devizes Road welcomed dignitaries from across the county including the Lord-Lieutenant of Wiltshire, the Vice Lord-Lieutenant, the Mayor of Salisbury, the High Sheriff and the Chairman of Wiltshire Council for a planting ceremony on their sports field.
The trees have been placed around the country to mark Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee next year.
The school held a full celebration, burying time capsules with items that the pupils thought represented life in 2021.
Meanwhile, year six pupils, Sophie Lock, Maria Radu, Harry Gault and James Conio read a poem about trees and the whole school sang National Anthem and the song ‘Power in Me’ before they enjoyed a tea party wearing the party hats they made themselves.
The Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire, Mrs Sarah Rose Troughton said:
“The QGC is a unique tree planting initiative created to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022 which invites people across the United Kingdom to “Plant a Tree for the Jubilee”.
“The QGC is encouraging all schools to get involved in planting Jubilee trees, with free tree packs available through the Woodland Trust and The Conservation Volunteers. In addition, it is gifting Celebration Trees to selected primary schools in areas of socioeconomic deprivation in 69 cities across the UK and I am delighted that Pembroke Primary School was selected to receive one of these trees.
“The QGC Celebration Trees initiative is part of the QGC’s education programme which seeks to inspire young people as the future custodians of the UK’s green spaces, forests and woodlands. It aims to highlight the educational aspects of trees and the significance of giving young people access to nature, encouraging wider engagement with the QGC across the school curriculum.”
Other schools can also get involved now by going to the Queen's Green Canopy website.
Mrs Sara Wilkinson, Headteacher of Pembroke Park said:
"We are delighted to have been chosen for this tremendous honour to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee in this way. The children and staff are very excited about the legacy this will leave for the whole school community.
“The tree will be cared for by the school Eco Committee who will be posting regular updates about its progress on school blog. We aim to create an area around the tree that will become a space for reflection and listening to stories for years to come.”