Tree planting ceremony at Stanmer Park celebrates the Queen’s Jubilee

The Mayor of Brighton & Hove Cllr Alan Robins has planted a tree on the lawns outside Stanmer House to celebrate the Queen’s 70 years on the throne. The tree was planted on 11 March, the 70^th day of this Jubilee year, along with many others around the country celebrating the Queen’s 70 years of service. The Mayor was joined by Deputy Lieutenant Jim May, representing the Lord-Lieutenant of East Sussex, and watched by members of the public.

The Mayor was at Stanmer Park, on the edge of Brighton & Hove and within the South Downs National Park, to plant a weeping beech, Fagus sylvatica ‘Pendula’, dedicated to the Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC), a nationwide initiative marking the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. The QGC initiative aims to create a national canopy of trees to help reduce the impact of climate change, filter air, increase wildlife habitat and improve the environment for all.

The Mayor said: ‘I am thrilled to be planting this beech tree here at Stanmer as part of this fantastic nationwide initiative which I hope will inspire everyone to get involved in planting trees for the Queen’s Jubilee.’

East Sussex Deputy Lieutenant, Jim May, described the Queen’s Green Canopy as an excellent environmental initiative, and a wonderful way to mark Her Majesty’s 70 years of service to the nation in this Platinum Jubilee year.

“I am delighted to be here outside Stanmer House today, to take part in this tree planting ceremony for the Jubilee. There are many ways to take part in the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative, and I would urge everyone to visit the website, get involved and spread the word,” he said.

The QGC has a focus on planting sustainably, encouraging tree planting to benefit future generations, creating a legacy in honour of the Queen’s leadership of the nation.

Everyone from individuals to groups, villages, cities, counties, schools and organisations is encouraged to get involved, enhancing our environment by planting commemorative trees during the official planting seasons up to the end of March and from October through to the end of this Jubilee year. For more information on the Queen’s Green Canopy in East Sussex, visit the Action in Rural Sussex website  or the central QGC website.

By inviting everyone to plant considerable numbers of new trees throughout the country, the QGC seeks to highlight the significant value of trees and woodlands as nature’s simple but highly effective way to clean the air we breathe, slow the impact of climate change, create important wildlife habitats and improve our general health and wellbeing.

Stanmer Park is enjoying a renaissance with the recent restoration project in the park, and the opening last year of the popular One Garden Brighton in the walled garden. Stanmer Park and Estate is the city’s largest park and one of its most visited, providing an example of an 18th Century designed landscape.