Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation has been working with local groups and schools to plant 70 trees across our town to commemorate the Platinum Jubilee.

This is the start of a town-wide project that will see trees planted in various locations to mark Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee.

The Foundation's Chair of the Board of Trustees, Gareth Hawkins, was joined by Arch Community Group and Letchworth based charity, Jackie's Drop-In to mark the first three trees to be planted on the grassed amenity area at the junction of South View and Broadway in Letchworth.

Jackie Nealon, founder of Jackies Drop-In, a centre for adults with disabilities said, "Everyone had a wonderful day and the whole group enjoyed getting involved, including the volunteers.

"I want to say thank you to the Foundation for inviting us to take part."

Future locations for the trees include various open spaces, as well as Standalone Farm, the International Garden Cities Exhibition, Wymondley Woods, Greenway and the Wynd.

The trees planted are Liquidambar Styraciflua, or sweetgum trees, which were picked specifically for their spectacular orange, red and purple colours that flourish in the autumn. Planting will continue later in the year and involve charities, community groups and schools.

Gareth Hawkins, Chair of the Board of Trustees, said, "It was a real privilege to help plant the inaugural trees of the 70 planned by the Heritage Foundation as part of the Queen's Jubilee Canopy.

"It was an even more enjoyable occasion having been joined by the fabulous team from Jackie's Drop-In, whose kindness, enthusiasm, and hard work are an inspiration.

"I look forward to seeing how these trees grow and flourish over the decades ahead."

If you are in a local group that would like to be involved, please do contact us at [email protected].