Wraysbury Persian Ironwood

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.

Wraysbury in Berkshire has a rich and ancient history, with many links to royalty. In Saxon times it was the hunting ground of kings. In 1313 Wraysbury, administered as a Royal Manor, was given to Queen Isabella by Edward II and then assigned in Dower to the Queens of England under Edward III, Richard II and Henry IV.

In 1465 the Manor of Wraysbury was settled on Edward IV’s queen, then later on Elizabeth of York, Henry VII’s queen. It was also assigned to Catherine of Aragon and later to Jane Seymour by Henry VIII, and there is a story that he wooed Anne Boleyn under the Ankerwycke Yew. It stands in the grounds of Ankerwycke Priory in Wraysbury and has been suggested as the site of the sealing of the Magna Carta by King John, as it was thought to be safe from possible attack by soldiers on the opposite bank of the Thames at Runnymede.

We have a warm relationship with Prince Philip, who commissioned Wraysbury Community Centre as the new 1st Wraysbury Scout and Guide Headquarters, and Queen Elizabeth who opened our village hall on 18th October 1974. She stopped off at Wraysbury during her rain-soaked river tour of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead and met representatives of the parishes.

We were honoured to be given a tree to celebrate Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee and local Tree Wardens invited Scouts, Cubs, Beavers, Guides, Brownies and Rainbows to help plant the beautiful Persian ironwood (Parrotia persica ‘Vanessa’). Every child took so much care and pride in the actual planting that it will most certainly flourish and be something to remind them of the magical and moving Diamond Jubilee year.

After the wet weather on the Saturday, Sunday dawned bright and cheerful, much to the relief of the Scout and Guide Leaders. We only had a light shower at the end of the ceremony, which took place in the presence of Colin Rayner, Mayor of Windsor & Maidenhead, parish councillors, friends and relatives. The Guides prepared a scrumptious tea.

What a fantastic and happy afternoon we spent. The general feeling was, “Well done. It was a lovely event”.

Photographs - top to bottom:

1. 1. Careful and tender planting for the Jubilee tree.
2. 2. Well deserved applause for a job well done.
3. 3. Tree Wardens William Perez and Diana Hughes.
4. 4. The children enjoy a delicious Jubilee tree tea.
5. 5. The Queen visiting the new village hall, 1974.