Going Green for the Queen: Apple Trees Planted at Weston College’s Loxton Campus
Weston College are continuing to promote sustainability by supporting the Queen’s Green Canopy as two more trees are planted at Loxton Campus.
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.
Principal and Chief Executive Dr Paul Phillips CBE, has pioneered the support of the QGC by encouraging staff students and local businesses to “do their bit” by planting a tree in a space available to them.
As a result, two apple trees were planted on 24th March at the College’s Loxton Campus. Situated near Weston General Hospital, Loxton Campus is home to the College’s Sixth Form for A Levels, the bespoke Creative Arts department and start-of-the-art facilities for Sport and Health at the Health and Active Living Skills Centre.
Learners in Music, Media, Photography and Art joined Dr Paul Phillips and representatives from the College’s governing body, which included Chair of Governors Andrew Leighton-Price who placed the final soil over the freshly planted trees.
These trees mark just some of the trees planted as part of the College’s wider sustainability initiatives at each campus. with trees at South West Skills Campus and at Uncle Paul’s Chill Charity at Butcombe Farm as well as countless more planted by members of staff in their own gardens.
Dr Paul commented: “We’re putting North Somerset on the map! And I am delighted to continue supporting superb initiatives such as the Queen’s Green Canopy as part of our new sustainability framework. Seeing our learners enthused and engaged with sustainability gives me lots of hope as we strive to create brighter and greener futures.” 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 people with their trees.
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. 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.
