Dyke Primary pupils help plant oak tree as part of The Queen’s Green Canopy project
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A LOCAL primary school has taken part in an initiative to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022.
Six house and vice-captains from Dyke Primary School planted a six-year-old oak as part of The Queen’s Green Canopy project, helping to choose the right spot, dig the hole, stake and protect the tree.
Dyke headteacher, Stephen Simpson, was honoured his pupils got to join others around the country to celebrate the Queen’s jubilee.
He said: “The pupils enjoyed learning all about the oak tree at Darnaway Castle.
"They were excited to get involved in this historic project and shared the information about the tree with their classmates.
"Children today are well versed in the environment and sustainability, so they understood the importance of the project.”
The sapling has grown from a 1000-year-old oak, which sits on the grounds of nearby Darnaway Castle, and is the biggest and oldest tree of its kind in Scotland.
The pupils were visited by the Earl and Countess of Moray, John and Cathy Stuart, who helped plant the sapling. John, whose three sons attended Dyke Primary, attended as Deputy Lieutenant of Moray and is delighted to be involved in the Queen’s Green Canopy project.
He said: “It was great to see the pupils get involved and our woodlands manager, Ben Clinch, did a great job of showing them the best way to plant a tree. They are excited to see how it grows over the coming years.”
John shared the history of the sapling with the pupils before the planting began.
Keira Simpson (P7) said: “Lots of trees are being cut down so we need to plant more to survive. It’s special that Dyke is helping to celebrate the Queen’s jubilee. The tree is something that will be here for years to come and maybe my children and their children will learn about it.”
Millie Coleman (P7) added: “It was fun to be part of something to remember.”