Hughes joins Tree Council at planting ceremony in the Elephant and Castle (Southwark Liberal Democrats)

Southwark Liberal Democrats <info@southwark-libdems.org.uk>

Hughes joins Tree Council at planting ceremony in the Elephant and Castle

January 27, 2010 9:20 AM
Originally published by Simon Hughes MP

Simon Hughes, member of parliament for North Southwark and Bermondsey, yesterday joined the Director-General of the Tree Council to plant a Manchurian Cherry Tree in the Elephant and Castle. Simon used the 'silver shovel' first used by Harold Wilson the 1970s, and by every Prime Minister since except for Gordon Brown, to make the mark on his constituency.

Hughes was elected as a Vice President of The Tree Council last October and was delighted at being able to put into practice what The Tree Council promotes.

Simon said: "It was great to be able to demonstrate my enthusiasm for this project. Trees have so many benefits for the community and I am proud to have made my contribution in the constituency. I look forward to watching the Cherry develop."

Notes

The Tree Council is the UK's lead charity for trees in all settings, urban and rural, promoting their importance in a changing environment and it works in partnership with communities, organisations and government to make trees matter to everyone. It was founded after Plant A Tree In '73 and works towards making trees matter to people; more trees, of the right kind, in the right places; better care for all trees of all ages and inspiring effective action for trees. Members range from professional, non-governmental, specialist and trade organisations, including other conservation charities, to government departments and local authorities. It is responsible for an annual programme that includes Seed Gathering Season, National Tree Week, and Walk in the Woods month, supporting the groups organising local events; these initiatives are aimed at involving as many people as possible in planting, caring for and enjoying trees and woods.

The Director-General of the Tree Council is Pauline Buchanan Black

Gordon Brown is the first Prime Minister since Wilson (when the Tree Council was set up) not to have planted a tree during his time in office.