The anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the throne was marked in Enniskillen last Friday morning with a special tree planting.

Enniskillen Model Primary School was delighted to host the event, attended by Lord and Lady Brookeborough and Lord Erne. The morning was organised by Mrs. Melanie Little, who liaised closely with the school in relation to how the milestone should be marked.

Lord Erne said: “The planting was carried out as part of The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) project, a unique planting scheme across the United Kingdom during 2022, created to mark The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

“The campaign will see communities, charities, schools, youth groups, councils and landowners planting individual or specimen trees, copses and woodlands to create a lasting legacy in honour of The Queen’s 70 years of leadership and of service to the nation.

“The QGC project aims to encourage biodiversity and help the uptake of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, so helping to mitigate climate change.

“Native trees are the large above-ground indication of a whole network of interconnected life; of fungi, birds, insects, mammals and other plants. They are the overstory of whole ecosystems.”

The planting of the Prunus Kansan (Flowering Cherry) at Enniskillen Model School by The Viscount Brookeborough KG, Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant, marked the occasion of Her Majesty’s accession to the throne on February 6, 1952.

It is hoped by all involved that the planting of this tree will be the forerunner of many more QGC planting schemes in Co. Fermanagh, and will encourage people to come together with the common purpose of ‘greening’ their local environment to mark The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Principal Winston Glass added: “The Prunus Kanzan was kindly donated by Mr. Scott Robinson, Craigville Garden Centre, and Mr. Roly Henderson also kindly supplied a slate plaque to sit alongside the tree, and this acts as a permanent reminder of the significance of the event.”