Planting the Jubilee Tree were, left to right: Deputy Lord Mayor of Chester, Councillor John Leather; Colin Rankin, Business Development Director of VINCI Construction; Councillor Richard Beacham, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Growth, Economy & Regeneration and Councillor Samantha Dixon, Chair of the Northgate Joint Members Working Group.
As part of the new surface water drain reinstatement works in Chester, a Jubilee Tree has been planted on the Grosvenor Roundabout by the Council in partnership with The Mersey Forest and VINCI Construction UK.
Following the completion of the 1km long surface water drain, which will provide many future-proof environmental benefits for the city including reducing sewage outfalls into the River Dee, the new tree is one of 100 being planted by The Mersey Forest in Chester to replace the eleven trees that were felled in 2020 as part of the drain enabling works.
The Jubilee Tree species is a Amelanchier Arborea Robin Hill which will provide white spring flowers and rich autumnal colour; and will be part of a borough-wide contribution to the Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC), a unique tree planting initiative created to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022 which invites people from across the country to “Plant a Tree for the Jubilee”.
Chester has been recognised as a QGC Champion City, joining twelve other cities nationally, and will undertake a wide range of projects across the borough throughout the year including:
- Creating a new Green Task Force with 30 military veterans who will be offered training and paid job opportunities in woodland creation and woodland management, as a steppingstone into full-time work
- Installing 20 leaky woody dams in the Lower Dane Catchment and Rivacre Valley and creating 2.6ha of woodland on the banks of rivers and streams
- Upskilling 10 young people (age 18-24) to create a specialist tree nursery including the propagation of scarce, difficult to source, native tree species and pioneer woodland wildflower species.
- Hosting a community tree planting event at the Countess Country Park on Saturday 15th The public are invited to help plant 360 trees, to take part register in advance as places are free but limited: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tree-planting-at-the-countess-country-park-chester-tickets-224117299877
The planting of the Jubilee Tree has been sponsored by VINCI Construction UK, the Council’s principal construction partner for the new surface water drain and Northgate development set to open in 2022.
Further information about the QGC is available: www.queensgreencanopy.org
Councillor Richard Beacham, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Growth, Economy & Regeneration, said: “The trees in the area around the Grosvenor Roundabout are an important feature on the skyline as you approach our city from the south. Being able to re-plant a tree in this location is a sign that the large drain construction project is finally coming to an end, and although it will take a long time to grow, this tree will one day stand tall at the entrance to our city and will be a lasting legacy of the Queen’s Green Canopy.”
Colin Rankin, Business Development Director of VINCI Building said: “This location is a key gateway for the city so its fitting that we will be planting a Jubilee Tree and celebrating its royal links dating back over 800 years, with the title of Earl of Chester having been granted to heirs to the throne since 1301”.
Paul Nolan, Director of The Mersey Forest, said: “Planting more trees and establishing new woodlands will provide many benefits for our communities and help to lock up carbon on our journey to becoming a carbon neutral borough by 2045. Alongside our work of establishing Community Forests, we’re also delighted to be able to support local people to be trained in woodland creation and management, providing them with the skills to join the industry and play their part in protecting and enhancing nature in their communities.”