St Thomas Cantilupe CE Primary School was honoured to be chosen to represent Herefordshire’s schools in the planting of a tree for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Mr Edward Harley OBE, Lord Lieutenant of Herefordshire, represented Her Majesty the Queen and joined with the school in celebrating this memorable day.

The Queen’s Green Canopy is a unique tree planting initiative created to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022 which invites people across the United Kingdom to “Plant a Tree for the Jubilee.” Children from St Thomas’ read poems, prayers and sang to mark 70 years of service, before Amelia Koleczek and Rayne Exton helped Mr Harley to plant a beautiful Acer campestre Elegant.

The children had the additional responsibility of using a silver spade, last used by Queen Mary.

Claire McKeown, Headteacher of St Thomas Cantilupe CE Primary said, ‘I am very proud of the staff and children. Today was a day that all of us will remember.’ The sun shone brightly and the Dean of Hereford, the Very Rev’d Sarah Brown led a special blessing to end a wonderful service.