GREEN-fingered youngsters, dignitaries and even nobility, lent a spade to help plant a new avenue of trees on Ragley Estate.
The green canopy is being planted to commemorate the memory of Queen Elizabeth II on Lord and Lady Hertford’s 5,500 acre estate near Alcester.
The avenue, made up of 70 trees, commemorates the Queen’s 70-year reign, and will form a Ragley Platinum Jubilee Walk. The trees are a mixture of native species, all grown on the estate.
The first tree was planted by the Marquess and Marchioness of Hertford’s son Lord Edward alongside his fiancée Issy, who are due to marry on May 6, the day of King Charles’ Coronation.
Alongside the trees donated by Lord and Lady Hertford, there are also trees planted by primary schools close to the estate. Teachers and pupils from ten schools were invited to come along and were joined by Stratford Mayor Coun Gill Cleeve, Alcester Mayor Coun Kathryn Cargill and Chairman of Stratford District Council Mark Cargill for the planting.
Coun Cleeve said: “I am delighted to be a part of the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative at Ragley Hall which marks 96 years of Her Majesty’s remarkable life and become part of a lasting tribute to her extraordinary service to our country.
“Involving children from local schools in the planting is also a great chance to connect with each other and inspire young people as the future custodians of the UK’s green spaces, forests and woodlands.”
The finished avenue will appear on the Queen’s Green Canopy Map and each of the supporters will be recognised with an individual name plaque for their tree.
