Green-fingered Hartlepool pupils mark Queen's birthday

Members of the Eco Team at West Park Primary School, based on Coniscliffe Road, Hartlepool, spent a day working with staff and volunteers from Hartlepool Council’s Countryside Team, the Friends of Ward Jackson Park and the Friends of Hartlepool’s Wild Green Spaces.

First, they dug a series of holes, and then they manoeuvred the five heavy standard trees into position before planting them.

The pocket handkerchief trees have been bought by the Friends of Ward Jackson Park, who work closely with Hartlepool Council to develop and maintain the park.

Deb Jefferson, from the Council’s Countryside Team, said: “We were blessed with some wonderful weather and the warm sunshine, allied to the occasion of the Queen’s birthday, made it a day to remember for all concerned.

“The children worked so hard throughout the day and they were an absolute credit to themselves and their school. I would also like to thank the volunteers from the Friends of Ward Jackson Park and the Friends of Hartlepool’s Wild Green Space who turned out. Their on-going support is much appreciated.”

Mandy Hall, headteacher at West Park, added: “Being an Eco School has been a priority for us over the last five years and we were delighted to be asked to get involved in the tree planting. It was also great that our children were given the chance to mark the Queen’s 90th birthday and the day was an enjoyable forerunner to a ‘Red, White and Blue Day’ that we will be holding at school just before the Queen’s official birthday in June.”