A selection of young trees have been planted at a wood and nature area in Ely to commemorate the late Queen’s platinum jubilee.  

The 30 saplings – which include Rowan, Wild Cherry and Silver Birch – are now part of Jubilee Woods, which is off Williams Close and near the Princess of Wales Hospital.  

They were donated by The Woodland Trust for an initiative called The Queen’s Green Canopy, which was launched to mark Her Majesty’s 70 years on the throne in 2022. 

Ely Standard: The childminding community in Ely came together for the planting of 30 trees donated as part of The Queen's Green Canopy initiative.The childminding community in Ely came together for the planting of 30 trees donated as part of The Queen's Green Canopy initiative. (Image: Sue Smith)

Individuals, community groups, schools and businesses could take part and more than one million trees were planted across the UK during the first planting season between October 2021 and March 2022. 

This Ely project was coordinated by childminder Sue Smith in her role as a volunteer champion for the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years.  

Schools and community groups bid for the trees, and children and the childminding community were at the heart of the official planting ceremony on February 23. 

Colonel Roger Herriot OBE DL, Deputy Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire, also attended the event as The King’s Representative.  

Ely Standard: Sue Smith and Colonel Roger Herriot OBE DL, The Deputy Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire, at the tree planting at Jubilee Woods, Ely.Sue Smith and Colonel Roger Herriot OBE DL, The Deputy Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire, at the tree planting at Jubilee Woods, Ely. (Image: Sue Smith)

Sue said: “It is such a privilege to be able to organise such a wonderful event and bring childminders together to showcase the work we do with our minded children.   

“To support the initiative, The Queen’s Green Canopy gives a great sense of pride to know we are supporting our future young generation to learn more about the world around them.”   

These latest saplings have been planted close to 60 trees that were planted at Jubilee Wood in 2012 as part of a similar initiative for the Queen’s diamond jubilee.  

Ely Standard: Sue Smith coordinated the project at Jubilee Woods, Ely.Sue Smith coordinated the project at Jubilee Woods, Ely. (Image: Sue Smith)

Sue added: “I am hopeful this will provide lasting memories for our little people, as they return to play in this beautiful open space that is now host to a total of 90 trees.” 

She also said Cambridgeshire County Council and East Cambridgeshire District Council have been working on the initiative.  

Ely Standard: Thirty saplings, including Rowan, Wild Cherry and Silver Birch have been planted at Jubilee Woods, Ely.Thirty saplings, including Rowan, Wild Cherry and Silver Birch have been planted at Jubilee Woods, Ely. (Image: Sue Smith)