AN OAK tree planted in a South Warwickshire village to mark The Queen’s Coronation 70 years ago has been joined by a new oak to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee.
The new oak sapling was planted by Lord Lieutenant of Warwickshire Tim Cox – The Queen’s representative in the county – in the grounds of Barford St Peter’s CE Primary School.
The tree-planting ceremony was the focal point of a celebration which welcomed the entire village community.
Among them was villager Bill Worrall, who had been at the planting of the oak tree for the Coronation in 1953 when a pupil at the school.
The Platinum Jubilee oak tree was supplied and donated by Steve Haynes, of Steve Haynes Forestry Services, based in Barford, who also oversaw the planting on the school field.
Headteacher Mary Baker said: “An oak tree was planted by the children of Barford School in King George’s Field to mark the Coronation in 1953.
“It is a magnificent tree and a wonderful reminder of that occasion, and so it seemed only fitting for an oak tree to be planted by the school as a lasting memory of the Platinum Jubilee for generations to come.”
The Friends Association of Barford School (FABS) successfully applied for a grant from Warwick District Council’s Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Fund to contribute towards the community celebration event.
A life-size cut-out of The Queen gave those attending the event a fun photo opportunity, and there was also the chance to help create bunting to decorate Barford Memorial Hall.
A one-off Jubilee planter created for the occasion by Charlotte Woodcock, owner of Riffraff Ceramics, whose children attend the school, was also raffled with proceeds to the school.
Mrs Baker added: “It was a wonderful opportunity to come together as a community to celebrate 70 years of The Queen’s reign, and we would like to thank everyone who supported the event to make it such a special occasion.”
The school will be sending a book to The Queen, featuring a piece of writing or drawing by every pupil, with an aerial photo of the pupils forming the number 70, taken by commercial studio and aerial photographer Tim Atherton, on the front cover.
Every pupil also drew a self-portrait for a commemorative school tea-towel and were each gifted a commemorative bookmark by FABS.
