Bassetlaw plants final tree to mark Queen’s Diamond Jubilee

CHILDREN from Sir Edmund Hillard School took part in the planting of more than 6,000 trees in Bassetlaw to mark the end of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Hundreds of children from five schools across the district have been involved and in the latest planting project Sir Edmund Hillary pupils, along with the help of Bassetlaw councillors Julie Leigh and Griff Wynne, helped to transform an area of scrub land off South Parade in Kilton into a Diamond Jubilee Wood site.

The project has been run in conjunction with the Woodland Trust who organised a nationwide initiative to plant six million trees.

Coun Julie Leigh, cabinet member for environment and leisure, said: “I think this is a fantastic way to bring the Queen’s Jubilee to an end and not only improves the environment and encourages more wildlife to the area, but is also a fantastic experience for the children.”

“The project has been a great success and I hope those who have taken part can come back for generations to come and enjoy the trees and the new environment they have helped to create.”

Sir Edmund Hillary headteacher Simon Tollervey said it has been a ‘very valuable’ experience for the children and even better for the environment.

“The majority of the children will grow up around here and watch these saplings grow into trees, and they will be able to feel a sense of pride and ownership at what they have achieved today,” he said.

The initiative began in March with the first tree planted in The Canch Park, Worksop, and was brought to a close with the planting of a second commemorative field maple, Acer Campestre ‘Queen Elizabeth’ tree in Kings Park, Retford by the Bassetlaw Council chairman Ian Campbell.

Coun Campbell said: “It is an honour to plant this tree in commemoration of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee at Kings Park in the heart of Retford. It is the perfect place to honour such a momentous occasion in history.”

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