THERE was a great sense of community spirit and pride at sheltered housing in Popley as it planted a tree from the Queen’s Green Canopy.

Abbey Court was delighted to receive one of the 350 saplings made up the ‘Tree of Trees’ which was a 69ft sculpture installed outside Buckingham Palace in June to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

On Tuesday, October 25, Deputy Lieutenant of Hampshire Lady (Louisa) Portal MBDE DL visited the home, alongside children from Cornerstone Miss Muffet Nursery, to plant the tree.

The Reverend Canon Linda Scard, the mayor’s chaplain, led a short service of gratitude and dedication to the tree.

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Volunteer and Friend of Abbey Court Phil Lloyd co-ordinated the event as a celebration of the intergenerational programme between the residents at Abbey Court and the children of Cornerstone Miss Muffet which was established more than five years ago.

Queen’s Green Canopy chairman Sir Nicholas Bacon said that the trees were to be given to local community groups “in recognition of the positive impact that they have on their communities, the groups chosen represent the very best of Britain’’. 

The Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane Paul Miller and mayoress Sandra Miller also attended the event.