News releases

Platinum jubilee marked with new tree for The Queen's Green Canopy

Celebrations to mark Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee have begun in Basingstoke and Deane with a new tree being planted in the borough.

The Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane, Cllr Onnalee Cubitt was joined by distinguished guests on Friday 11 March 2022 to plant the Turkish Hazel tree near to the children’s play area in War Memorial Park.

Guests included Lady Portal MBE DL, representing the Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire, the High Sheriff of Hampshire Mr Phillip Sykes, the Rt. Hon Maria Miller MP, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s Leader Cllr Simon Bound and Chief Executive Russell O'Keefe as well as representatives from Basingstoke's communities.

The Turkish Hazel is a large, stately tree ideally suited to park landscapes and it will occupy the perfect position, providing a place for families to enjoy some shade while visiting the park during the summer months.

The tree was planted as part of The Queen's Green Canopy which encourages communities, groups and individuals to enhance the environment and to celebrate Her Majesty's 70 years of service by planting new trees across the globe.

The tree planting is the first of the events in the borough to mark The Queen's Platinum Jubilee. Details are yet to be confirmed but there will be opportunities for residents to come together to celebrate the historic milestone within their communities. Events will also take place nationally across a four-day weekend from Thursday 2 to Sunday 5 June 2022, including a birthday parade, a service of thanksgiving, a derby at Epsom and a party at Buckingham Palace broadcast by the BBC.

Lady Louisa Portal said: "I am delighted to be planting a tree, together with the Mayor, on behalf of the Lord-Lieutenant. The Queen's Green Canopy is a wonderful project to honour Her Majesty The Queen's Platinum Jubilee and I hope this symbolic tree will give pleasure to many people in the years to come."

Cllr Cubitt said “I was honoured to plant a tree on behalf of the borough to celebrate Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee not only to add to The Queen's Green Canopy but also to leave a legacy for future generations to remember the longest serving monarch in English history. Seventy years of service is a remarkable achievement and it is a privilege to play a small part in marking this by planting a tree in one of our most popular parks, for all to enjoy."

You can find out more about the Queen's Jubilee celebrations in Basingstoke here www.lovebasingstoke.co.uk and learn more about The Queen's Green Canopy here www.queensgreencanopy.org