The afternoon held at Ferny Crofts Scout Activity Centre, in Brockenhurst, was in support of a unique tree-planting initiative created to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022.
People from across the United Kingdom and abroad are encouraged to “Plant a Tree for the Jubilee” which has already seen millions of people engaged in the project.
His Majesty The King agreed to extend the campaign until the end of March 2023 to allow people to plant trees in memoriam to honour Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, who died in September.
Lady Louisa Portal, Hampshire’s Deputy Lieutenant, praised the Scouts for their work while attending the dry November tree-planting session.
She said: “I am thrilled to see so many young people understanding what the Green Canopy initiative is about.
“I think it’s really impressive [the quantity of trees planted at the site] and it makes me really proud to be a Scout. I have always been proud and always will be, and to do a project like this on such a scale is very impressive. Bravo!”
The 421 trees planted at the outdoor adventure centre were in addition to the 1,000 trees planted just before the pandemic.
Two teams worked on this tree planting afternoon, with young people and volunteers from the 6th Hamble Sea Scouts in attendance.
The main tree, which a plaque can identify to commemorate the occasion, is a liquid amber tree which displays maple-like leaves and takes on a beautiful and long-lasting autumn colour.
Martin Rudd, a volunteer with Hampshire Scouts, was impressed by what was being achieved. He said: “It’s fantastic seeing everyone come together to support this project that was instituted by the late Majesty The Queen. I’m really pleased that we got such a lovely tree and my thanks go to the team at Ferny Crofts who have sourced everything and made this possible.”
Harry, 12, a Scout at the Hamble Sea Scouts group, said: “It makes me feel really good that we have planted all these trees. We have spent the whole day out in nature and getting our hands dirty and doing good. Personally, I think I have planted almost 50 trees today. It makes me feel happy these trees will be here for a long time.”
Rohan, 12, encouraged other young people to join this project and others alike.
He said: “If you try tree planting you might like it, especially when later in life you can come back and see them it’s going to be a nice boost of your childhood memories and you will have a great sense of accomplishment and it will be a nice feeling.”
For more about The Queen’s Green Canopy, go to queensgreencanopy.org
Pictures and words by Sam Poole.
