We’re thrilled that one of our Primary Schools, Charnwood Primary Academy, has been gifted a celebration tree from the Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC). This special tree was presented on 12th October 2021, where staff, pupils and guests gathered for its planting to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee.
Charnwood Primary Academy is one of 70 schools across England and Scotland to be granted a Jubilee tree by the QGC, one for each year that The Queen has served.
Special guests that attended the planting included, Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire, Mr Ian Dudson, Mayor of Lichfield, Councillor Robert Yardley, Sherriff of Lichfield, Mr Peter Hitchman, High Sherriff of Staffordshire, Mr James Friend and Chairman of Lichfield District Council, Mr Barry Gwilt.
Mr Friend said: “It is an honour to be this year’s High Sherriff of Staffordshire and it is a pleasure to be involved in the early stages of the QGC Jubilee Tree Planting.
“The Lord-Lieutenant has begun the scheme by planting trees in two cities of Staffordshire, Lichfield and Stoke-on-Trent. Today the tree is a Field Maple (Acer Campestre), a particularly lovely native tree, which will turn colour and look beautiful for years to come.”
The local dignitaries were joined by Charnwood Primary Academy’s Eco-Council, who have been elected by their peers from classes between Year 1 and Year 6, and the Principal of Charnwood Primary Academy, Katie Stanley. Several of the school’s pupils read out a poem to commemorate the important event.
The Lord-Lieutenant of Staffordshire, Mr Ian Dudson, began the ceremony with a speech: “We’re here today courtesy of the Mayor of Lichfield, who has suggested Charnwood Primary Academy to be the city’s recipient primary school, and so, I am officially gifting the tree this morning.
“The tree will be recorded on The Queen’s Green Canopy Map as a lasting legacy in Lichfield of the Platinum Jubilee.”
Focusing on planting sustainably, “Plant a tree for the Jubilee” will create a legacy in honour of The Queen’s leadership of the nation and the British Monarch’s 70 years of service. Not only this, but it will also help to educate Charnwood Primary Academy’s pupils on the precious need for trees and how challenging it is to keep fragile young trees and saplings alive.
The process of selecting schools to be a part of the project began with the QGC office, who tasked the Lord-Lieutenant of each district to identify primary schools to take part. A total of 70 schools are to be gifted a celebration tree to plant, including a primary school adjacent to Balmoral. A detailed criteria helped to narrow down the country’s schools, deciding which would have the honour to be a part of this historical nationwide scheme.
Katie Stanley commented on the fantastic event: “It is such an honour to be chosen as the site for the Jubilee Tree, and we will take good care of it at the school. We will also be incorporating aspects of the event into our curriculum, and I know that the pupils are all thrilled to be a part of this historic event.”
The QGC planting project has commenced in Staffordshire, at the beginning of the tree planting season and will continue into 2023 to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen and her Platinum Jubilee.
The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) is a unique and inclusive tree planting initiative created to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022. Everyone is encouraged to play their part in enhancing our environment – whether that be individuals, schools, corporates, or even entire villages. Find out more on the Queen’s Green Canopy website.
