Bucklebury takes part in the Queen's Green Canopy initiative for Platinum Jubilee

A special tree planting ceremony was held at Chapel Row Green in Bucklebury on Friday, March 11, to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

March 11 was chosen as it is the 70th day of the year in which the Queen marks the 70th anniversary of her accession.

The civic tree planting ceremony was one of many taking place around the country as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative which invites communities to ‘plant a tree for the jubilee’.

Councillor Graham Pask (Con, Bucklebury) said: “I would particularly like to thank Mr Willie Hartley Russell, the High Sheriff of the Royal County of Berkshire, for offering his land for the planting and performing the tree planting ceremony with me.

“The Avenue at Chapel Row has great historical importance, with Oak trees dating back to the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, as well as trees planted to celebrate the Millennium and the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

“The trees we are planting today in commemoration of Her Majesty's historic Platinum Jubilee are a fitting addition to both Chapel Row and the Green Canopy initiative.”

Mr Pask, former chairman of West Berkshire Council, welcomed everyone to the event which included members from West Berkshire Council and Bucklebury Parish Council.

Pupils from Bucklebury Church of England Primary School also planted their jubilee tree after Mr Hartley Russell invited them to do so on his school visit last autumn.

Mr Hartley Russell donated the tree to the school which was planted at the ceremony.

Bucklebury Church of England Primary School headteacher Andy Higgs said: "We were thrilled to take part. We took our Year 6 pupils to Chapel Row for the planting."