Boston Borough Council - We're planting trees for our Queen

Sun-sparkled frost didn’t deter youngsters from nearby St Thomas’s Primary School when they walked to Boston’s Wyberton Low Road allotments site to help plant a jubilee copse. The children, aged seven and eight, braved freezing, but sunny, conditions to help plant a copse of 100 trees on Cuckoo Land to mark The Queen’s diamond jubilee. Teams of children worked with teachers, teaching assistants and Boston Borough Council staff and helpers to plant field maple, wild cherry, goat willow, downey birch, oak, rowan, crab apple, lime and wayfaring. The children’s jubilee copse is the second on Cuckoo Land – 25 trees have been planted near the car park. The project is part of a Woodland Trust initiative to get up to three million people involved in planting six million trees across the UK. A shrub area containing native species and small trees will complete landscaping at the site where there are 100 allotments rented out by the council. Ian Farmer, the council’s partnerships and sustainability manager, said: “Cuckoo Land site now forms a community green space and is a favourite circular walk for residents seeking gentle exercise and fresh air.” Kay Hayden, Health Network Co-ordinator, who helped out with the tree planting, said: “The children enjoyed it. They walked to and from school and had exercise gardening, which is good for physical and mental health and wellbeing.” The jubilee copses complement jubilee community orchards previously planted at the allotments and Witham Way Country Park. Jubilee diamond oaks are being offered to each parish council, to plant in prominent locations, and it is hoped that further community planting schemes will be carried out during 2012 to provide a lasting legacy to mark the jubilee. Contact Ian Farmer for further information on 01205 314225 or email him at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it From left, Cllr Alison Austin, Ian Farmer and Kay Hayden with children from Mrs Hannah Smith’s class. Teacher Miss Jo Addison with children from her class and the tree they proudly planted.