Ahoghill in Bloom to receive special tree as part of Queen’s Green Canopy

Ahoghill in Bloom is celebrating the news that it is to receive a Special Tree as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy ‘Tree of Trees’ initiative, in honour of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

The inspirational group joins over 300 organisations from across the UK who were recently announced by the Queens Green Canopy as recipients of these special trees in The Queen’s name, which are gifted as part of the Platinum Jubilee weekend celebrations, in a pot embossed with Her Majesty’s cypher.

Each of the trees were part of the Tree of Trees sculpture which was erected outside Buckingham Palace in London and formed part of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations earlier this year.

Supporting 350 small trees on a steel structure, the tree-like form was illuminated on 2 June as the first in a chain of 1,500 beacons lit across the UK and Commonwealth countries for last weekend's Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

The tree will be presented by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for the County of Antrim, Mr David McCorkell, on Thursday 20 October at Ahoghill Community Centre.

The tree becomes part of the living legacy in honour of Her Majesty, joining over a million trees already planted across the UK as part of The Queen’s Green Canopy.

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Noel Williams, said:

“I am delighted Ahoghill in Bloom has been chosen as a site for planting a special Queen’s Green Canopy tree to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee.

“This amazing group works so hard in the local community, bringing many benefits to residents in and around the area, and this accolade is thoroughly well-deserved.”

James Perry from Ahoghill in Bloom said:

“The 'In Bloom' team is delighted that Ahoghill is to receive one of the special native trees and a unique container from the ‘Tree of Trees' initiative. The Queen's Green Canopy 'Tree of Trees' stood tall outside Buckingham Palace as a message of hope, regeneration and optimism to the nation and the world as part of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

“The village has received many accolades over the years from Ulster in Bloom and Britain in Bloom culminating in being awarded the prestigious Champion of Champions accolade.

"The volunteers were also delighted to be awarded the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS) - the highest award available to voluntary organisations in the UK. This latest recognition, with the village being one of only 14 Northern Ireland recipients of a 'Tree of Trees', is further testament to the dedication of our volunteers and also the support received from residents, businesses and other local organisations.

"The team is thrilled to have been chosen in recognition of their contribution to the Ahoghill community.”