A SALISBURY school is just one of 69 across the country to receive a celebration tree, as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee preparations.
The Lord-Lieutenant of Wiltshire Sarah Troughton has revealed that Pembroke Park Primary School was selected to plant an oak tree to mark next year’s Jubilee celebrations and tree planting initiative the Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC).
The primary school was gifted the tree as one establishment in "an area of socioeconomic deprivation".
The celebration tree was planted on October 5, alongside a time capsule put together by pupils, representing life in 2021.
During the festivities a poem about trees was read by Year 6 pupils Sophie Lock, Maria Radu, Harry Gault and James Conio, followed by full school singing and a tea party.
Special visitors at the tree planting included the Lord-Lieutenant, the Vice Lord-Lieutenant William Wyldbore-Smith, Salisbury Mayor Caroline Corbin, the High Sheriff of Wiltshire Sir Charles Hobhouse and chairman of Wiltshire Council Stuart Wheeler.
“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’,” said the Lord-Lieutenant.
“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."
Mrs Troughton added that the project “seeks to inspire young people as the future custodians of the UK’s green spaces, forests and woodlands” and “highlight the educational aspects of trees and the significance of giving young people access to nature”.
Headteacher Sara Wilkinson added: “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.
"We aim to create an area around the tree that will become a space for reflection and listening to stories for years to come.”
The QGC encourages tree planting to take place between October and March, to optimise the chance of trees surviving and flourishing.
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