Diamond Jubilee commemorated with community woodland

A Jubilee wood has been created to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee as part of National Tree Week (24 November – 2 December).  An initial sixty trees were planted to start the project in Owl End, Great Stukeley with a series of further community planting planned in the New Year. The land has been gifted to local residents to provide a community woodland by Urban and Civic, owners and developers of the nearby former Alconbury Airfield. The woodland is part of a wider community scheme which Urban&Civic are working on in partnership with the Stukeleys Parish Council and Allotment Society to provide, design and deliver sustainable allotments for local residents.

Green Force representatives, who are volunteers from teams across Huntingdonshire District Council who spread the word about environmental issues and help reduce the council’s impact on the environment, donned their wellies to plant the trees, which were donated by the Woodland Trust as part of the Jubilee Woods Scheme.

As well as providing a wooded area for the community to use and enjoy, the trees will screen the American Airbase buildings from view, shelter the planned allotments from the wind and provide a habitat that will benefit nature and environment.  Trees planted include field maple, birch, oak and rowan.

Councillor Jason Ablewhite, Executive Leader of Huntingdonshire District Council, said: “This is a great example of partnership work and this woodland provides a wonderful reminder of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee year.”

Sue Parkin, Chairman of the Stukeleys Parish Council and Parish Tree Warden said: “Ever since the Diamond Jubilee woodland scheme was announced we have been keen to ensure we in The Stukeleys mark this special year in a lasting way which all of the community can enjoy.  I am thrilled we have started the hard work of planting not just in the Jubilee Year but also in National Tree Week.  We will be holding further community planting days in the New Year so if anyone wants to join us and work off their Christmas puddings, please get in touch!”

Huntingdonshire District CouncilStukely's Parish CouncilThe Woodland Trust Jubilee Woodland Project