An English Oak tree has been planted to honour Councillor Jude Deakin’s time as Mayor of Chelmsford.

English Oak planted at Admirals Park

Councillor Jude Deakin is serving her second term as Mayor, having also performed the role in 2020-21. Her first term as Mayor was heavily impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. She was re-elected to give her more opportunities to perform her mayoral duties.

The Mayor’s chaplain, Father Tom Page from Church of Ascension with All Saints, opened the ceremony with a prayer.

Councillor Jude Deakin, Mayor of Chelmsford planting an English Oak tree at Admirals Park
Councillor Jude Deakin, Mayor of Chelmsford planting an English Oak tree at Admirals Park.

In her welcoming speech, Councillor Smita Rajesh, Cabinet Deputy for Community Safety, explained, “The majestic oak supports an entire ecosystem, including nesting birds, bats, insects, fungi and lichen, offering a habitat for over 200 other native species. When open-grown, a large spreading canopy will develop as the tree matures. Although sometimes assumed to be slow, once established, Oaks are capable of reaching 50 feet in their first 50 years.”

Councillor Rajesh presenting the Mayor and Mayoress with an engraved spade as a memento of the occasion
Councillor Rajesh presenting the Mayor and Mayoress with an engraved spade as a memento of the occasion

The tree was also planted as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) initiative to celebrate Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee. The QGC initiative aims to create a legacy in honour of the Queen’s remarkable leadership of the nation. This is the first of many more trees to be planted in Chelmsford as part of the QGC initiative.

From left: HM Lord Lieutenant of Essex, Mrs Jennifer Tolhurst, Mayor and Mayoress of Chelmsford.
HM Lord Lieutenant of Essex, Mrs Jennifer Tolhurst with the Mayor and Mayoress of Chelmsford.

If you wish to plant a tree in your garden to commemorate the Platinum Jubilee, please visit https://queensgreencanopy.org/get-involved/individuals/

By Charlotte Maltby

Charlotte writes stories about recycling and waste, parks, economic development, local democracy and planning.

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