Pupils mark Jubilee with tree planting

Pupils from Healey Primary, St Peter’s CE Primary and Kingsway Park High School joined forces with staff from Rochdale’s local education partnership inspiredspaces, construction company Carillion and the council’s Countryside and Ranger service to plant over 400 special trees to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

The planting event is part of the Woodland Trust’s project to create hundreds of Jubilee Woods and 60 special Diamond Woods, transforming our landscape and providing a lasting and meaningful tribute for many years to come.

Janet Marshall of inspiredspaces said: “When our colleague Victoria Barras applied to the Woodland Trust in May this year we were hopeful that they would be able to give us some trees, but we didn’t know if our application would be successful or how many trees we would be able to get.

"As you can imagine, we were amazed and delighted when the Trust replied not only to say 'Yes', but that they actually wanted to give us over 400 of their special Jubilee Trees for Rochdale’s schools! Our trees have been specially selected for their ability to support wildlife throughout the year, from the spring-flowering varieties that will feed early-foraging bees and pollinators, through to the production of berries and seeds for birds in late autumn. The trees themselves will also provide a vital home for birds, bats, squirrels and all sorts of insects.”

Around 200 trees, including a range of different species such as hazel, blackthorn and dog rose, have been planted on land owned by Kingsway Park High School where they will create a Jubilee woodland copse. The remaining trees have been distributed amongst local primary and special schools and the council’s Countryside and Ranger service.

There was one very special tree amongst the pack – a Royal Oak sapling grown from seeds gathered from the Royal Estates. With help from local primary students, this tree was in the natural habitat area at Kingsway Park High School so that, as it grows, it can be seen by everyone who passes the school. Ranger Jude Murray was on hand at the planting event to provide expert advice on how to plant and look after the trees.