Jubilee diamond tree plaque unveiled

The formal plaque for The Tree Council's Diamond Jubilee Celebration Project in Chichester has been unveiled.
Tree warden Geoff King, left, and Portfield Primary Academy pupils Jessica Currie, Rose Webb and Cameron Webb with Chichester mayor Peter BudgeTree warden Geoff King, left, and Portfield Primary Academy pupils Jessica Currie, Rose Webb and Cameron Webb with Chichester mayor Peter Budge
Tree warden Geoff King, left, and Portfield Primary Academy pupils Jessica Currie, Rose Webb and Cameron Webb with Chichester mayor Peter Budge

Portfield Primary Academy pupils and staff joined tree warden Geoff King and Chichester mayor Peter Budge at Florence Park on Tuesday for the ceremony.

A small-leaved lime tree was planted in April 2013, one of 60 commemorating the Queen’s 60 years on the throne, and the plaque marks that occasion.

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Geoff said: “The lime tree is in good health and will grow to be a tree with great character.”

The formal plaque for the The Tree Councils Diamond Jubilee Celebration Project in Florence Road Park, ChichesterThe formal plaque for the The Tree Councils Diamond Jubilee Celebration Project in Florence Road Park, Chichester
The formal plaque for the The Tree Councils Diamond Jubilee Celebration Project in Florence Road Park, Chichester

The Tree Council made a national invitation to tree wardens to bid for one of the jubilee diamond trees and Geoff applied on behalf of Chichester, choosing Florence Park as the best location.

He explained: “Here was a local park which has become a favourite place for the many people who use it and which I could see would encourage further tree planting to add to its attractiveness.

“This week’s very happy occasion was the placing of the plaque with the lime tree.”

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As with the planting of the tree, guests at the ceremony included Leslie Leaning and Jo Millen from Florence Park Community Group, Chichester district councillors Les Hixson, Chichester city councillor Tony French, community warden Jon Logan, Whyke Residents’ Association chairman Judith Ratledge and Justin Jones from Green Spaces.

The formal plaque for the The Tree Councils Diamond Jubilee Celebration Project in Florence Road Park, ChichesterThe formal plaque for the The Tree Councils Diamond Jubilee Celebration Project in Florence Road Park, Chichester
The formal plaque for the The Tree Councils Diamond Jubilee Celebration Project in Florence Road Park, Chichester

Portfield schoolchildren had researched the properties and significance of the chosen tree and wrote letters to linking with relatives and other senior citizens in the area to discover details of the Queen’s coronation.

The plaque reads: “Tilia cordata small-leaved lime planted on 16th April 2013 by Friends of Florence Park with residents and Portfield Primary Academy pupils to mark the diamond jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II – one of The Tree Council’s jubilee diamond trees.”

The Tree Council said: “To mark the anniversary of the accession and coronation years, a generation of children have planted a large specimen of their chosen tree in a public place such as a park, on common land or in school grounds.

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“Marking the Jubilee with a tree was a starting point for narratives that brought together people from across the generations to pass on memories and reflect on the changes that have taken place since 1952, the events that have shaped our country, and the uniting role of Her Majesty.

“These stories have been chronicled, through words and pictures, in a specially printed book – our diamond jubilee gift for Her Majesty The Queen.”

Have you checked out our new Christmas section yet?

It’s packed with ideas and tips to ensure you make the most out of the festive season.

There’s recipes, suggestions for presents and everything from choosing your tree to recycling your packaging and paper.

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