Youngsters take part in special Plaistow tree planting ceremony

The youngsters planted three memorial trees to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of VE Day.

The trees were meant to have been planted during the pre-school’s annual Maypole Fete but it had to be cancelled because of the pandemic and national lockdown.

However the plans were amended, and the three trees were planted on Armistice Day – Wednesday November 11 - surrounding the VE Day commemorative bench and the village’s Silent Soldier.

The pre-school will also be commissioning a memorial plaque for the area, dedicating the space to the memory and sacrifice of those who gave their lives for their country.

The trees were funded by monies secured by Plaistow and Ifold Parish Council from The Tree Council’s Branching Out Fund which aims to help and encourage children to undertake tree planting projects this winter.

Parish council chairman Alan Pearson said: “It was wonderful seeing the very youngest in our community at the heart of this permanent act of remembrance.

“What made it even more poignant was the fact that the trees have been planted on land that was given to the community by Admiral Sir George Hope, who lived in Plaistow and was at the Armistice Signing in 1918.

“Along with the Pre-School, I would like to thank Angela Palmerton of Natural Gardens who volunteered her time to help create this lasting memorial.”

Pictured with some of the youngsters are West Sussex County Councillor Janet Duncton and Plaistow Pre-School teacher Jonathan Beckett