MP and Mayor Plant Saplings as Part of the Queen’s Tree Initiative

Published on: 10 Dec, 2018
Updated on: 10 Dec, 2018

Front left to right: Cllrs David Wright, Caroline Reeves, the Mayor, Mike Parsons and Anne Milton MP at the planting ceremony.

Rowan and birch saplings were planted at Stoke Recreation Ground, Stocton Road, on Friday (December 7, 2018) by a team of local dignitaries.

Handling the spades were Anne Milton, Guildford’s MP and the Minister for Apprenticeships and Skills in the Department for Education the Mayor of Guildford, Cllr Mike Parsons, ward councillor Caroline Reeves (Lib Dem, Friary and St Nicolas) and Cllr David Wright (Con, Tillingbourne) representing the deputy mayor.

Watching on were members of GBC Parks & Gardens department, community wardens and the GBC tree and woodland manager who said that a diseased plane tree had to be felled nearby, so the new native saplings would be welcome additions.

The planting is part of the Queen’s Commonwealth Tree Canopy Cover Initiative. The project is supported by the grocery chain Sainsbury’s and has raised over £7 million since 2004 for the planting of more than three million trees across the UK. More than 500 MPs ware taking part in this initiative across the UK.

According to the initiative’s website, the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy (QCC), was conceived by the Frank Field MP and launched at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Malta, in 2015. The QCC is a unique network of forest conservation initiatives, which involves all 53 countries of the Commonwealth.

It is stated on the site: “The QCC presents a rare opportunity to unite the whole Commonwealth family and save one of the world’s most important natural habitats – forests. By creating a pan-Commonwealth network of forest conservation projects, the QCC will mark Her Majesty The Queen’s service to the Commonwealth while conserving indigenous forests for future generations.

Speaking ahead of the visit, Anne said: “I am so looking forward to planting a tree at Stoke Recreation Ground on Friday. The Tree Canopy Cover Initiative is a brilliant opportunity to get more trees planted across the UK and I am looking forward to doing my bit for the project with the Mayor of Guildford.”