Fort Hill Integrated Primary School is home to the Lisburn tree in the Queen’s Green Canopy
October 11, 2021
On 11th October the Lord Lieutenant of County Antrim, Mr David McCorkell, Lady Mary Peters and Mayor Alderman Stephen Martin visited Fort Hill Integrated Primary School as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy event.
The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) is a unique tree planting initiative created to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022. Lady Mary Peters, Ambassador for the Queen’s Canopy for Northern Ireland was delighted to plant the tree alongside Seth and Eden from Fort Hill Integrated Primary.
Lord Lieutenant of County Antrim, Mr David McCorkell, speaking at the event said: “As The Queen’s representative I am delighted to join this local primary school to ‘Plant a Tree for the Jubilee’. It is one of the first 70 primary school trees gifted by Her Majesty to be planted in the cities of the UK. They will form part of a canopy across the UK and create a legacy in honour of Her Majesty’s leadership. I would like to thank the Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh Council for nominating Fort Hill Integrated Primary School as the location for the tree in Lisburn City.”
Mayor Martin, who is focusing on young people during his term in office was proud to be part of this milestone event. The Mayor commented: “Our young people are our future. What better way to start the day than a tree planting event that will be discussed by generations to come. I was very excited to be part of this memorable event. This tree and the entire sustainable QGC will benefit future generations by helping offset carbon emissions and improving local biodiversity.”
As well as inviting the planting of new trees, The Queen’s Green Canopy will dedicate a network of 70 Ancient Woodlands across the United Kingdom and identify 70 Ancient Trees to celebrate Her Majesty’s 70 years of service.
Mr Clive Anderson, Principal at Fort Hill Integrated Primary School concluded: “Our pupils and staff were looking forward to this historic event and having the dignitaries and school Governors attending alongside the pupils’ contributions of which I am very proud, added very much to the morning’s success. I would like to thank the choir for their beautiful renditions of ‘Irish Blessing’. It was a privilege to receive the ‘Pyrus Chanticleer’ tree to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee and we look forward to seeing the tree grow within our grounds and have it become part of our story. The pupils will all go home this evening and tell their families about the experience and the dignitaries they met.”