On Saturday 10 November, Rochester and Strood MP Kelly Tolhurst joined The Reverend Nicholas Cooper, Vicar of Frindsbury Church, local residents and school children to plant trees as part of the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy.
The Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy is a national network of forest conservation initiatives to mark Her Majesty's lifetime of service to the Commonwealth, with 500 other MPs taking part in similar events across the Country.
The donated trees - two silver birch, two rowan, and a hazel – along with others kindly gifted by Kelly Tolhurst MP were planted by local children in the grounds of Frindsbury Green Church on Saturday 10 November.
The trees were donated by the local MP and a partnership between the Woodland Trust, Sainsbury’s and ITV, which in April screened a landmark documentary, The Queen's Green Planet, following Her Majesty the Queen and this ambitious legacy project which brings together her deeply held commitment to the Commonwealth and her little-known love of trees.
Frindsbury Green Church has long been a big part of Kelly’s life in Medway having grown up in Upnor so she was delighted to offer her donation to the local community.
At the event Kelly said,
“It is wonderful to be a part of this brilliant idea to follow in the footsteps of Her Majesty The Queen in caring about our valuable forests and woodlands.
“Kent and Medway is full of beautiful green space enjoyed by so many, which is why I am delighted to be contributing to local nature and particularly to the Frindsbury community where I have countless fond memories from my childhood.
“We all need trees. They are a cornerstone of our landscape and countryside, forming an essential and cherished part of our cultural identity and do wonders for us environmentally so I hope the residents of Frindsbury – and Rochester and Strood as a whole – will enjoy watching them flourish as part of this wonderful legacy initiative.”