Newbury Racecourse to plant 60 trees for jubilee

Project for all 60 racecourses to plant six million trees nationwide

NEWBURY Racecourse is to participate in a project to plant six million trees at racecourses countrywide this year, to mark 60 years of the Queen's reign.

All 60 of Britain's racecourses will be marking the Queen's diamond jubilee this year by planting trees, coppices, or Jubilee Woods as part of a national campaign by The Woodland Trust.

The Jubilee Woods Project aims to see the planting of six million trees in 2012, along with hundreds of new woodlands and 60 Diamond Woods of at least 60 acres.

Every racecourse in the country is involved - including the aptly named Goodwood and Aintree race tracks - with the aim of planting one million trees in the ground during February 2012.

Stephen Atkin, Chief Executive of the Racecourse Association, said: “We are delighted that all racecourses are participating in the campaign. It is a mark of appreciation for the contribution The Queen makes to British horse racing as well as recognition of the importance of the environment and racecourses' contribution to the wider community.”

Georgina McLeod, Director of Jubilee Woods, said: “It's fantastic that Racing for Change and racecourses across the country will be playing a part in helping the Woodland Trust to plant six million trees through its Jubilee Woods project. Horse racing has always been a big part of royal life and it is a fitting tribute to one of our longest reigning monarchs that racecourses across Britain will plant symbolic trees and woods to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.”