St Patrick’s care home in Widnes is one of only 300 places across the country to receive a special tree as part of the legacy to honour Queen Elizabeth II.
A rowan tree was planted in the garden of the home as part of The Queen’s Green Canopy ‘Tree of Trees’ in memory of the late monarch. The tree was a gifted in a commemorative engraved pot which the home will keep on display.
The QGC is a nationwide tree planting initiative originally created to mark the Platinum Jubilee as a message of hope, regeneration and optimism to the nation. Following the wishes of King Charles, the QGC was extended to give people an opportunity to plant trees to honour The Queen.
St Patrick’s on Crow Wood Lane is run by Halton Borough Council and is home to around 40 people living with dementia. The tree will form part of a sensory garden to be enjoyed by residents, their families and friends and the local community.
The tree planting ceremony was carried out by The Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire, Lady Redmond MBE, The Mayor of Halton, Cllr Mark Dennett, and Nicola Lloyd, Registered Manager at St Patrick’s.
Lady Redmond said: “We all saw the impressive 20 metre Tree of Trees sculpture outside Buckingham Palace as the centrepiece of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. The Queen wished to gift these trees to carefully selected community projects and organisations to celebrate and give thanks for the wonderful work that you do.
“The pandemic showed us how valuable our open spaces are, and they are particularly important here at St Patrick’s to help stimulate residents’ minds, improve their overall wellbeing, and to offer a peaceful place for everyone to meet and enjoy. The work you all did during the pandemic to keep everyone safe was phenomenal and I thank you sincerely for that and hope you never have to face anything like it again.
“I congratulate Halton and St Patrick’s not only for the work you do for the community but what you plan to do as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy and the Big Halton Forest.”
The Mayor, Cllr Dennett, said: “We are thrilled that Halton has been chosen as a location to receive this special tree as a ‘thank you’ for all the valuable and tireless work that volunteers and individuals undertake for the benefit of our residents. It is also a reminder to Halton residents of the living legacy of Her Majesty the Queen and the visits she made to Halton during her reign.
“The tree is a recognition of the importance of trees and nature at the heart of recent Platinum Jubilee and throughout the Queen’s reign. The Queen during her 70 year reign planted over 1,500 trees across the world and we hope that this will be a symbol within Halton to raise awareness of the need to plant trees and encourage people to get involved in tree planting.
“In Halton we have launched our plan for the Big Halton Forest which plans to plant 130,000 trees in Halton by 2030. The Big Halton Forest will not just be in one place, it will be across the borough and it will range from single trees to large groups of trees and associated planting. Every community has the chance to participate in creating the forest.
“The project will be one of the Council’s major initiatives to encourage everyone to participate in improving the green infrastructure of the borough and gain an understanding of how anyone can help fight climate change. The first major plantings will take place in the next planting season Spring 2022 with the planting of 5,000 trees and bushes.
“The Queen’s tree will be a focal point of the ongoing campaign and will ensure Halton play its part to continue to highlight the extraordinary service the Queen gave her country.”
http://www.halton.gov.uk/forest
