Jubilee tree-planting ceremony for Wick and District Gardening Club

Wick and District Gardening Club marked the Queen's Platinum Jubilee by planting two trees at the riverside.

Olive Whittlesea was invited to do the planting, being a founder member of the club and also its first treasurer.

The event took place last Friday afternoon with the assistance of Willie Watt, Vice-Lieutenant of Caithness, while piper Michael Miller was also present.

Club chairperson Doreen Turner told the gathering: “The gardening club would like to thank the Wick Riverside Volunteers for allowing us to adopt this area of ground to plant our trees to commemorate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

“Thanks also to Jo and James Walker for clearing out the area and getting it ready for today's planting. They have also donated the trees.

“The two trees that we are planting, namely Amelanchier and a crab apple, are quite small at the moment but, as the saying goes, small acorns grow into big trees. We also had to consider the openness of our plot.

“We will be planting some bedding plants around the trees meantime, and in the autumn we are planting five Glenfiddich rose bushes and bulbs, so hopefully we will have nice colour next spring. The club will be responsible for looking after the area.

“We are holding a plant sale on Saturday, August 20, in the hall at the Nethercliffe Hotel, to raise funds towards purchasing the roses and bulbs.”

Mrs Turner thanked Mr Watt and the piper for coming along.

After the planting ceremony the club members went to the Nethercliffe Hotel for an afternoon cream tea.

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