Crossmichael Community Woodland and Potters Garden in Stranraer have been chosen to receive a special tree from The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) “Tree of Trees”.
This stood tall as a message of hope, regeneration and optimism to the nation and the world as part of the Platinum Jubilee weekend celebrations.
Both join over 300 organisations from across the UK who were announced by the QGC as recipients of these special trees.
The British-grown tree will be gifted in a pot embossed with the late Queen’s cypher and will be presented to Crossmichael Community Woodland project in the Stewartry by the Lord-Lieutenant of The Stewartry of Kirkcudbright, The Lord Sinclair, next Wednesday, at their site next to the village Primary School.
The Community Woodland is managed by Crossmichael and Community District Community Council who has been leading a project to manage, care for and improve access to the community woodland.
Work carried out on the woodland area includes an improved path surface, drainage, gates, picnic tables, and a new footbridge – supporting one of the main aims of the project being to improve accessibility for a wider range of user abilities. The wood is managed by the environment group of the Community Council and basic maintenance is carried out by volunteers.
The whole community and visitors will benefit from the improved access. The local school children are regular visitors to the woodland enjoying the trees and wildlife. It is a well-used and cared for woodland.
Lord Sinclair, Lord-Lieutenant for The Stewartry of Kirkcudbright said: “I am delighted that Crossmichael Community Woodland has been chosen to receive this special tree in honour of Her Majesty. It will become one of over a million already planted as part of the Queen’s Green canopy and will serve, not only as a lasting memory to our late Queen, but as a thank you to all volunteers who work tirelessly for their local communities.”
Chairman of Crossmichael and District Community Council said: “We were surprised and delighted to receive this award, which we see as a tribute to the work of the many volunteers whose efforts over a number of years have made our community woodland what it is today – a green oasis where local residents and visitors alike can enjoy and benefit from the life-affirming gifts of trees.”
Potters Garden, part of the Stair Park Community Garden Centre in Stranraer, was nominated by the Wigtown Lieutenancy to receive the tree and this is now in place.
The Potters Garden was founded in early 2012 when a group of local people identified an opportunity to promote community engagement as a third sector organisation to deliver a garden/training centre specifically for people with learning disabilities. The site at Stair Park has been transformed into 5 working areas, a productive garden (fruit, vegetables & flowers), sensory garden, skills and learning area, workshop & wildlife garden.
Mrs Brewis, Lord-Lieutenant for Wigtown said: “The Queen’s Green Canopy is a very fitting memorial in honour and loving memory of Her Majesty. Everyone can get involved with planting a tree which will branch out and become a beautiful living legacy that will be enjoyed by our children and our grandchildren for many years to come.”
Denys Potter-Smith, Centre Manager for the Stair Park Community Garden Centre in Stranraer, said: “We are proud and honoured, to plant this native British tree (Sorbus Aucuparia Multi-Stem) in Potters Garden to commemorate Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth’s Green Canopy. It will also be a poignant memory of the tireless work and dedication to duty Her Majesty undertook.”