Army & Sea Cadets join forces to plant 250 trees for the Queen’s Green Canopy
Army and Sea Cadets, Mid and East Antrim (MEA) Parks Team, Mid and East Antrim, Deputy Mayor Councillor Matthew Armstrong; (holding the Ceremonial Plaque) the Hon Colonel of 1st (NI) Battalion Army Cadet Force, Lord-Lieutenant Mr David McCorkell KstJ and 1st (NI) Battalion Commandant Adrian Donaldson MBE
C Company, 1st (NI) Battalion Army Cadet Force (ACF) along with cadets from Ballymena Sea Cadets got involved in Planting Trees for the Platinum Jubilee ‘Queen’s Green Canopy’ in celebration of the Queen’s 70 years of service to the Nation.
Two hundred and fifty trees were planted, one tree for each Cadet and CFAV within the Company.
They were joined by the Hon Colonel of 1st (NI) Battalion Army Cadet Force, Lord-Lieutenant Mr David McCorkell KstJ, the Mid and East Antrim (MEA) Deputy Mayor Councillor Matthew Armstrong, and 1st (NI) Bn Commandant Colonel Adrian Donaldson MBE.
Some of the Army and Sea Cadets with Mid and East Antrim, Deputy Mayor Councillor Matthew Armstrong; (holding the Ceremonial Plaque) the Hon Colonel of 1st (NI) Battalion Army Cadet Force, Lord-Lieutenant Mr David McCorkell KstJ and 1st (NI) Battalion Commandant Adrian Donaldson MBE
The Army Cadets from C Coy area including Ballymena, Cullybackey and Cambridge House Detachments along with Ballymena Sea Cadets gathered together, spades in hand, on a stretch of selected ground at the EcosCentre Ballymena on a cold wintery Saturday morning.
After a few words from the Deputy Mayor and instruction from Marlene Gattineau MEA Parks Team, the cadets, parents and instructors set about planting the young oak trees, whilst Piper Cadet Josh Anderson from 1st (NI) Battalion ACF Band of Drums and Pipes, piped in the background.
C Company Commander Major John Read, with Ballymena Cadets (L-R) Jason Clack, Jamie Tuff, Connor Tuff, Jorja Grimason, Angelica Deeuzman.
Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of County Antrim Mr David McCorkell KstJ said:
“It was a privilege to join C Company, and Ballymena Sea Cadets to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee by taking part in the Queen’s Green Canopy. I hope that the cadets will nurture these trees and watch them grow as a living testament of long and selfless service of HM The Queen.
“It was a great initiative to brave the weather and get these cross-service cadet groups together. I would like to congratulate all involved for organising such a special morning”.
(L-R) Cadets Alyssa Woods, Cullybackey Detachment, Hanah Maxwell, Larne Detachment, Illaria Grimeson, Ballymena Detachment are joined by County Antrim’s Lord-Lieutenant and Hon Colonel of 1st (NI) Bn Army Cadet Force, Mr David McCorkell KstJ.
The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) is a unique tree planting initiative created to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022 inviting people from across the United Kingdom to “Plant a Tree for the Jubilee”.
The planting of trees will create a legacy in honour of The Queen’s leadership of the Nation, which will benefit future generations.
(L-R) 1st (NI) Bn Commandant Col Adrian Donaldson with Cullybackey Cadets William McIntyre, Alyssa Woods, and Hon Colonel of 1st (NI) Bn, Lord-Lieutenant Mr David McCorkell KstJ.
Cadet Illaria Grimason, from Ballymena Detachment added:
“It’s great to see everyone here today taking part in celebrating Her Majesty’s 70 years of Service.”.
Many thanks to Mid and East Antrim Council who kindly provided the location and the Ceremonial Plaque.
(L-R) Ruth Verner, Co Antrim Lord-Lieutenant Mr David McCorkell KstJ with Sea Cadets Jake and Jess.
