Penrith is now a part of the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy, following the planting of five saplings in Castle Park by Rory Stewart MP.
The Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy, launched at the 2015 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting by Frank Field MP, aims to save the association’s members’ forests by creating a network of forest conservation projects. To date, over 40 Commonwealth countries have agreed to participate. The parliamentary initiative was also started by Mr Field, who wrote to all MPs to request their participation and Rory was delighted to accept. Some 500 other MPs have also planted saplings, linking Penrith and The Border to constituencies across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The saplings, two silver birch, two rowan and a hazel, are UK sourced and grown, and were donated by a partnership between the Woodland Trust, Sainsbury’s and ITV. If well maintained they can be expected to grow to 12-25 meters in height. Rory selected Castle Park as the location for these trees, as it is a well located and picturesque site, enjoyed by both residents and visitors to Penrith.
Commenting on the planting, Rory said: “It is wonderful that Penrith and The Border is now a part of this fantastic initiative. These trees, alongside those in other constituencies and nations, will collectively stand as a strong and important visual reminder for future generations of the value of our forests, and the need to protect and preserve them.
“These five trees, when grown to full height, will provide a fitting monument to the work of Her Majesty The Queen who, through her six decades of service to the Commonwealth, has truly been an example to us all. It was a very great privilege to plant them.”
