Marlborough Town Council
70 Trees for The Queen's Green Canopy
L-R: Richard Spencer-Williams, Anna Forbes, Brook and Sally Johnson, Lisa Farrell, Daniel Claridge, Nigel Weatherly
Marlborough Town Councillors committed to plant 70 native trees in Marlborough’s open spaces as part of the Town Council’s plans for HM Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee year.
On Wednesday, 1 February a brass plaque was installed to commemorate a donated Oak in Priory Gardens, and on Thursday, 2 February our team planted the last of the Queen’s Green Canopy trees. We are therefore pleased to announce that all 70 trees have now been planted.
Oak Tree in Priory Gardens
On 2 June 2022 Marlborough High Street was transformed into a party zone and residents came together at a street party to celebrate the Jubilee. In the afternoon our Mayor, Councillor Lisa Farrell, planted an Oak in Priory Gardens.
The tree was generously donated by Brook and Sally Johnson, and Claridge Funeral Service donated a brass plaque which commemorates the significance of the tree: the plaque was installed on 1 February. It will be shaded by the tree as it grows, and remind future generations of the tree’s significance:
In celebration of the Platinum Jubilee, this Oak tree has been donated by Brook & Sally Johnson in gratitude for the continuing and heartfelt Prayers offered up from St Mary’s Church for our Queen Elizabeth II and for all who live in and support Marlborough and its surrounding village
Daniel Claridge and Brook and Sally Johnson came to Priory Gardens on Wednesday to see the plaque installed, joined by Town Mayor Councillor Lisa Farrell, Town Clerk Richard Spencer-Williams, Grounds Manager Nigel Weatherly, and Anna Forbes from Action for the River Kennet. Explaining the wording on the plaque Sally said it was important to mention St Mary’s Church, where prayers are said every week for each part of the community, as the church was a link to the Queen’s strong faith which had been central to her character and had sustained her during her long reign. Daniel represented Claridge Funeral Services, where the team is always very active in its support for community ventures in the town, for example arranging car boot sales to raise funds for Wiltshire Air Ambulance. Our thanks go to them all.
New Copse at Tin Pit
On Thursday, 2 February our team planted a copse of trees at Tin Pit. They have been enclosed by a fence temporarily to protect the young trees from livestock. This completes the programme to plant 70 trees: one for each year of the Queen’s reign.
The full list of where you can find all 70 native trees is:
• Elcot Lane – 6 trees (a mix of Acers, Beech, and Hornbeam)
• Stonebridge – with partners Action for the River Kennet - 15 trees (Black Poplars, White Willows, Alder)
• Priory Gardens – 1 Oak and 1 Willow
• Marlborough Common – 7 trees (Birch and Oak)
• Tin Pit – Copse of 40 trees (Silver Birch, Rowan, Wild Cherry)
Now that all 70 trees have been planted, we will add their details to the official Queen’s Green Canopy map.
