HUNDREDS of trees have been planted to signal the end of historic celebrations in the city.
Mayor of Worcester, Councillor Stephen Hodgson, joined volunteers on what was a frosty morning to plant 400 saplings at Perdiswell Playing Fields as part of the Charter 400 project.
In recognition of Worcester’s 400 years as a city, this environmental gift has been given in hope it will last for a further 400 years.
The planting, which took place yesterday (Thursday 13), is also part of Worcester’s participation in the Queen’s Green Canopy project, marking Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022.
Cllr Stephen Hodgson, Mayor of Worcester, said: “What better gift to the city than to plant trees and I am delighted that we are able to mark the Charter 400 project with such a lasting legacy.
"It has been a personal honour to undertake the role of mayor during such a historic and important year for Worcester, to remember and appreciate the importance of the Charter of King James I and to commemorate the city’s very first Mayor, Edward Hurdman.”
The Charter 400 team planted the 400 trees at Perdiswell as an environmental gift to Worcester, citing their role in combating global warming while also providing a habitat for wildlife and encouraging pride in community spaces.
The trees will include oak seedlings grown from trees that are over 400 years old to mark the year Worcester became a city.
These 400-year-old trees can be found at sites across Worcester.
Adrian Gregson, Charter 400 Project Manager, added: “The Charter 400 project has been a real moment for us to celebrate Worcester’s heritage as well as an opportunity to bring business, culture and communities together to, particularly important as we all look to the future and continue to navigate our way out of the pandemic.
“The Charter 400 project has featured artist and theatre commissions, opportunities to view the Charter of King James I itself, walking tours and much more, it is fitting that we end the Charter year with a gift to the city which we hope will last another 400 years.”
The planting is additionally part of Worcester’s participation in the Queen’s Green Canopy project, a unique tree-planting initiative to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022 which invites people from across the United Kingdom to ‘Plant a tree for the Jubilee.’
Deputy Lieutenant, Mrs Georgina Britten-Long also attended the planting to represent Worcester’s Queen’s Green Canopy team.
Charter 400 celebrates Worcester’s rich heritage and culture provides an opportunity to promote, encourage, enthuse, revitalise and boost local businesses which have been negatively impacted by the pandemic.
The tree planting marks the end of the Charter 400 project.
For more information on the Charter 400 project visit: www.visitworcester.co.uk/charter-400.
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