Tidy Randalstown was one of only two organisations in Co Antrim to be awarded a tree in the Queen’s name, which was gifted in a pot embossed with Her Late Majesty’s cypher. The inspirational volunteer group received the tree in recognition of its transformational environmental improvements in the town.
The magnificent rowan tree - which formed part of the centrepiece during the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations at Buckingham Palace earlier this year - was presented by the Lord-Lieutenant of County Antrim, Mr David McCorkell KStJ on Thursday October 20.
It was planted at the entrance to the viaduct on New Street and joins over a million trees already planted across the UK as part of The Queen’s Green Canopy initiative.
This latest honour comes just days after Randalstown was named the ‘Best Kept Small Town’ in the Northern Ireland Amenity Council’s Best Kept Awards.
The town also cleaned up at the 2022 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Britain in Bloom UK Finals recently, scooping the gold award and being crowned overall winner of the ‘Best Small Town category’. Helen Boyd, chairperson of Tidy Randalstown, was also named Community Champion.
Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Alderman Stephen Ross said:
“I would like to congratulate Tidy Randalstown for being selected to receive this special gift in the Queen’s name and thank them for all their hard work and effort in making Randalstown the wonderful place that it is.
“As part of the Council’s involvement with the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative, I am pleased to say that we have so far planted over 900 trees across the Borough, working with schools, community groups and other organisations.
“In the coming weeks, Council will launch its latest Queen’s Green Canopy commemorative programme and we hope to add significantly to this total.”
Helen Boyd said Tidy Randalstown was “thrilled” to receive the special gift, adding:
“It will remind us to strive for a greener environment and will serve as an inspiration for tree planting in the future.”
The Queen’s Green Canopy tree planting initiative was created to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee. It has now been extended to the end of the planting season in March 2023, to give people an opportunity to plant trees in honour of the Queen.
Designed by Thomas Heatherwick, the Queen’s Green Canopy ‘Tree of Trees’ sculpture sought to put the importance of trees and nature at the heart of this historic milestone to celebrate the legacy of Queen Elizabeth II, who planted over 1,500 trees all over the world throughout her 70-year reign.
For more information on the Queen’s Green Canopy please visit www.queensgreencanopy.org