Students plant trees for the Jubilee

Saturday 05 February 2022

Students from Elizabeth College planted 28 trees at the Memorial Field on Friday afternoon as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative to celebrate this year’s Platinum Jubilee.

On Sunday, Her Majesty The Queen will become the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years of service to the people of the United Kingdom, the Realms and the Commonwealth.

The planting team at the Memorial Field comprised Biology teacher Rachel Seymour and students from the Year 9 Conservation Group, who planted 10 common alder, eight small-leaved lime, and 10 silver birch trees.

Several students said this was their first attempt at planting trees and that they had enjoyed it. They are looking forward to taking part in more nature and eco events over the next few weeks during Friday afternoon enrichment activities. 

Jenny Palmer, College Principal, was at the Memorial Field to mark the event and support students.

“All Year 9 students spend Friday afternoons learning in a different way," said Mrs Palmer.

"The staff offer different projects and programmes which they are personally very passionate about.”

Other nature and eco initiatives carried out by students have included picking up cigarette ends, placing bird feeders around the school, removing invasive sour fig around the coast and growing food on an allotment at Edible Guernsey which is then served with lunch in the College's refectory

Pictured (top): Old Elizabethan Association President James Ovenden (centre) flanked by Principal Jenny Palmer and Year 9 students.

Mrs Seymour said: “Andy McCutcheon from Guernsey Trees for Life advised us on the trees, which are based on native species and picked partly due to the drainage of the soil, which is important.”

James Ovenden, President of the Old Elizabethan Association, which owns the Memorial Field, was also present.

He said the Association is "very supportive of the project and happy to see the field enhanced by the beautiful trees".

The Queen’s Green Canopy is a unique tree planting initiative which invites people to 'plant a tree for the Jubilee'. A wide variety of people and groups - from Scouts and Girl Guides to villages, cities, counties, schools and companies - are encouraged to play their part to enhance the environment by planting trees.

With a focus on planting sustainably, The Queen’s Green Canopy encourages the creation of a natural legacy to honour The Queen’s remarkable reign, which began on 6 February 1952.

As well as inviting the planting of new trees, The Queen’s Green Canopy is dedicating a network of 70 ancient woodlands across the United Kingdom and 70 ancient trees to celebrate Her Majesty’s 70 years of service.