Two schools in Solihull have each received one of 350 British native trees that formed part of The Queen’s Green Canopy ‘Tree of Trees’ sculpture outside Buckingham Palace to mark the Platinum Jubilee.
On Thursday 4 November, Windy Arbor Primary School in Chelmsley Wood was awarded a Silver Birch, in a planting attended by Deputy Lieutenant Professor Sir Nigel Thrift and the Mayor of Solihull, Councillor Ken Meeson. They were joined by Head Teacher, Miss J. Taylor, Windy Arbor’s Eco-Lead, Miss A. Povey, and children from the school’s Eco Team.
The following day (Friday 5), another Silver Birch was planted at Langley School in Olton. This was attended by Deputy Lieutenant Clive Stone, the Deputy Leader of Solihull Council, Councillor Karen Grinsell, Head Teacher, Mrs C. Thorpe, Langley’s Citizenship Coordinator and Eco-Lead, Joanna Botley, and children from the school’s Eco Team.
These trees were originally displayed during the summer as part of the 21 metre/70-ft tall ‘Tree of Trees’ designed by Thomas Heatherwick, which stood as a message of hope, regeneration and optimism as part of the late-Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Windy Arbor and Langley are two of more than ten organisations in the West Midlands and over 300 others across the UK selected to receive the special trees in recognition of their support for the environment through the planting of trees.
It was the wish of Her Majesty The Queen that the trees be distributed in the autumn to community groups and individuals.
The Mayor of Solihull, Councillor Ken Meeson, said:
“It is an honour that two of our schools have been awarded trees from the ‘Tree of Trees’ in recognition of their commitment to environmental sustainability. I was privileged to help with the planting of one of those trees, alongside Sir Nigel, school staff and children who were excited by the occasion.
“The Queen’s Green Canopy aligns with the Council’s Planting Our Future scheme, which pledges to plant 250,000 trees in ten years. Planting trees not only enhances the natural environment but also helps capture carbon and reduce pollution, so is central to our vision of making the borough greener.”
The Queen’s Green Canopy was due to conclude in December, the end of the Jubilee year. However, following the wishes of its Patron, His Majesty The King, the initiative will be extended to the end of March 2023 to give people the opportunity to plant trees in memoriam to honour Her Majesty.
The Planting Our Future team is always looking for new landowners to partner with to create areas for tree planting, hedgerow and green corridors. Visit the Planting Our Future webpage to find out more or get in touch with the team at plantingourfuture@solihull.gov.uk.