Two hundred trees planted at Tonbridge for Queen’s Green Canopy project 

Cadets from Tonbridge’s CCF have been planting more than 200 native trees on the School’s lower fields as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative.

This nationwide project, initially conceived as part of the celebrations for Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee, has taken on an additional significance for cadets, and for the whole School community, as an act of commemoration and remembrance following the passing of Her Late Majesty earlier this term.

Planting took place on Wednesday 16 November and was supervised by Colin Swainson, Deputy Head Pastoral and Head of Conservation, who ensured that the saplings were correctly planted, with oak, birch, willow and cherry all carefully arranged on the site.

Every cadet in the CCF had the opportunity to plant his own tree during the afternoon.

Sqn Ldr Stefan Hargreaves, Contingent Commander, said: “We were honoured to take part in this important initiative, which is of huge benefit to the School, the environment and future members of the CCF.

“I’m very grateful to Colin Swainson, for his tree-planting expertise, and to all the cadets who put in such a great shift throughout the afternoon.”

The Queen’s Green Canopy project complements several other areas on the School site which have benefitted from reforestation during recent years.

In future years cadets will be able to use these areas for camping, camouflage and concealment, survival skills, shelter building, section attacks and a host of other CCF activities.