ISITORS to Highweek Pri- mary School in 60 years’ time should, with a bit of luck and a fair wind, be greeted by the sight of a mature yet still rela- tively young oak tree.
V
If time has been kind enough, the magnificent specimen will be there in all its glory thanks only to the foresight of the teachers and pupils who planted a sapling this spring. The quercus robur (background pic-
ture), pedunculate or English oak in com- mon terms, was a gift from the Royal Estate at Sandringham, one of many given to organisations nationwide to help pro- vide a living legacy with which to com- memorate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. It was among 50 or so other native trees, such as rowan, cherry and birch, that came in a bundle from the Woodland Trust and which have continued the ongoing job of greening up the town centre campus. They, and the Highweek oak, were given their start in life by year three and four pupils taught by science co-ordinator Alan Hutchinson.
The moment the oak went in was cap-
tured for posterity by Mid-Devon Adver- tiser photographer TJ Macleod. Mr Hutchinson said: ‘They really under- stand how important this year is and are putting down something that will stand as a memory of it. ‘The children are also aware of the envi-
ronmental significance of what they are doing. They have absolutely loved loved it, our only problem has been finding the time. ‘We have had an ongoing relationship with the Woodland Trust for the last few years. It has been a fantastic project.’ The children’s efforts echoed those at Sandringham itself where, on February 3, the Woodland Trust was privileged to have Her Majesty The Queen and Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal plant a na- tive English oak as part of the Sandring- ham Diamond Jubilee Wood. The tree was just one of thousands that will make up the new arboreal haven at the much-loved Norfolk retreat of Her Majesty, which has been home to four gen- erations of British monarchs since 1862.
16 QUEEN’S DIAMOND JUBILEE
FROM LITTLE ACORNS...
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24