On the seventy-first anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s accession to the throne, residents of the parish Irstead gathered on 6th February 2023, to plant a tree in commemoration of Her Late Majesty’s long and dedicated life and service. They form part of the Queen’s Green Canopy, a project launched in March 2021, involving the planting of one million trees, under the patronage of our new King and were the culmination of the three villages’ Platinum Jubilee Celebrations, during which time monies were raised to purchase the trees and commemorative tree guards.

Louis Baugh, of Neatishead, Deputy Lieutenant, representing the Norfolk Lieutenancy, reflected on the importance of commemorating our late monarch through the planting of trees, and read Joyce Kilmer’s famous poem, ‘Trees’, published in 1913 at each of the three sites. He was then ably assisted  Cecily aged 7¾y and Milly aged 6¼y, Irstead's youngest residents. The trees were then each blessed by the Curate of the Benefice of St Benedict, The Rev’d Taylor Wilton-Morgan who reflected on their use as an image of a righteous life in Psalm 1.

Residents of Neatishead and Barton Turf also gathered to plant trees on this day.