Houghton On The Hill Black Walnut

This is one of The Tree Council’s 60 educational tree planting schemes with children that were inspired by the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Each tree, provided by The Tree Council, was chosen and planted by volunteers in the community.

In spite of cold winds and rain on Thursday 23rd May 2013, the Leicestershire village of Houghton On The Hill and its Tree Warden, Francesca Wall-Bray, welcomed the Lord Lieutenant, Lady Gretton, and the newly- elected Chairman of Harborough District Council, Geraldine Robinson and her husband, Dave Robinson.

They were there to plant the Diamond Jubilee black walnut, the final tree in the village’s 2012–2013 Make History Diamond Jubilee and Olympic Tree Project. This involved planting more than 60 trees over 16 months.

Also attending the event were Pete Kenyon from Leicestershire County Council, John Parrot from Harborough District Council and Andy Jackson, Leicestershire County Council Tree Warden Coordinator, all of whom have advised, assisted and supported the Houghton Tree Warden on various tree planting schemes in the village over the last few years.

On hand to help plant the Jubilee tree were the headteacher, staff and older children from Houghton On The Hill Church of England Primary School. Earlier that day the Tree Warden, staff and parents of younger children had planted the school’s commemorative tree for the Make History project, a sequoia.

After planting the black walnut, Lady Gretton and Harborough District Council Chairman Geraldine Robinson attended the bring-and-share Jubilee Tree Tea Party, organised by supporters of the Make History project.

The Houghton On The Hill Tree Warden and Tree Planting / Maintenance volunteers were awarded one of the Lord Lieutenant’s Diamond Jubilee Awards for Leicestershire and Rutland and nominated for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Award for Volunteer Groups.

Photographs - top to bottom:

1. 1. Lord Lieutenant Lady Gretton begins the planting.
2. 2. Cllr Mrs Geraldine Robinson, Chairman of Harborough District Council, wields the spade.
3. 3. Tree Warden Francesca Wall-Bray adds more soil.
4. 4. Lady Gretton gives her speech as the rain falls.
5. 5. Villagers, teachers and children gather at the event.
6. 6. Councillor Geraldine Robinson and her husband.