Trees and grants to celebrate the jubilee

And a tree has been planted by the Mayor of Wandsworth in Battersea Park’s Russell Page Garden to mark the Jubilee – one of 21 planted across the borough.

The trees have been planted as part of The Queen’s Green Canopy, which is inviting people from all over the UK to ‘Plant a Tree for the Jubilee’. They will all be tagged with a special Platinum Jubilee label.

The Mayoral Tree, a Sweet Gum, was planted by the Mayor of Wandsworth Cllr Richard Field, on Friday, March 11 – marking the 70th day of the year the Queen marks the 70th anniversary of her accession.

The Mayor was joined at the planting by the Deputy Lieutenant DI David Kemmis MBE and by children from three local schools, Chesterton Primary, The Dominie School and the Ark Putney Academy Band.

Speaking at the planting, the mayor said: “This tree will hopefully be a constant reminder of this momentous occasion and a tribute to the outstanding service given by our Queen to the people in the United Kingdom and in the Commonwealth. She is a shining example to us all.”

Cabinet member for community services and open spaces Cllr Steffi Sutters also spoke at the event about the council’s winter tree planting and the importance of trees in increasing biodiversity and tackling climate change. Wandsworth has planted 700 trees this winter and recently published its Tree Policy.

The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Micro-Grant Fund offers organisations grants of between £250 to £500 to run events and up to a thousand pounds to deliver larger legacy projects to mark the jubilee.

Events should be inclusive and creative to bring residents together over the four-day Jubilee Bank Holiday from June 2-5. Legacy projects could include producing a community mural or enhancing a public space or garden.

Find out more and apply online

Wandsworth residents are being encouraged to organise street parties to mark the Jubilee and the council has waived the usual £60 fee for people organising a jubilee party for their street or neighbourhood during May or June.

To find out more about street closures and to apply online visit wandsworth.gov.uk/streetparties. Organisers can also email streetworks@wandsworth.gov.uk for advice.