Hyde Godley councillors teamed up with others to help mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee in unique fashion at the weekend.

Cllr Betty Affleck came up with the idea of planting a community orchard, with Des Clare and his crew at Hattersley Community Gardens greeting the idea with enthusiasm. 

They now intend to plant 70 fruit trees to celebrate the 70 years of the reign of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, before June 6, with the first trees going in on Saturday.

First up was the Mayor of Tameside, Cllr Janet Cooper, followed by Wing Commander Roy Catterall, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Manchester, for the first of, what he hopes will be many events celebrating the Queens Jubilee.

Then up stepped Hyde and Stalybridge MP Jonathan Reynolds to plant his tree, followed by Jean Byrnes from the Prince’s Trust with some young trainees from Groundwork. The formal plantings were completed by Cllr Betty Affleck assisted by her great niece Amalie.

Des and his crew at the garden project presented their guests with a bowl of planted bulbs after providing the team with a tour around the garden project.

Residents are welcome to take children along and plant one of the remaining 70 fruit trees, in celebration, or if you can’t get there yourself, you can support the project at: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ 

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