Second Jubilee Tree Planted at Uncle Paul’s Chilli Charity

In support of the Queen’s Green Canopy, Weston College in partnership with Uncle Paul’s Chilli Charity at Butcombe Farm has planted their second tree, strengthening North Somerset’s position on the Queen’s Green Canopy map.

The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) is a national campaign that was created to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022. With a focus on reducing carbon footprints and promoting sustainability, the initiative encourages people from across the country to “Plant a Tree for the Jubilee”. Once planted, the trees are then uploaded to the official QGC website and interactive map for all to see.

Uncle Paul’s Chilli Charity is a philanthropic venture that works in partnership with the College with its innovatively designed alternative outdoor classroom model - providing real world learning at the heart of the farms’ chilli cuisine production. Lecturer in Foundation Learning Pete Lane was joined by learners Krista, Jamie, Rebecca and Amelia to plant a morello cherry tree on the site.

Following its first tree planting Weston College is currently running a student and staff competition to encourage tree planting in support of this unique community initiative. Prizes of £100/£50 Amazon vouchers are on offer for first and second prizes for the best picture of students and staff with their trees planted at home, and its Principal Dr Paul Phillips CBE is encouraging members of the public, schools, charities and businesses across the West of England to get their trees pinned to the map to capture all the great work that is going on locally.

Dr Phillips commented: “Fantastic to see more roots in the ground as more trees are planted across the region. This is a project that the whole community can get involved with and we're continuing to encourage everyone to follow in our footsteps by planting a tree for the Jubilee. Many have planted but have not yet pinned to the map, so don’t delay pin today - this is great map to evidence your carbon offsetting and receive a nice virtual commemorative plaque for the Jubilee”

The campaign, along with many upcoming green initiatives, falls under Weston College's new Sustainability and Social Action Framework which will soon be launched to promote sustainable practices and projects across the college and the wider community.

The principal continues: “As a College, our wider sustainability work is leading the region whether this is working with businesses to create green apprenticeships, or supporting people to retain for green careers, we are supporting many organisations achieve the change required to collectively work towards ‘Net Zero’ - and this very much includes innovative social action projects such as this one to build stronger, greener communities.”.

Visit www.queensgreencanopy.org to see who’s already planted in your area and how to pin your tree to the interactive Jubilee map, as well as to find out more information to engage with wider sustainability in support of Her Majesty the Queen. The best tree planting season is till the end of March, and restarts in October for the end of the year.