SCHOOLCHILDREN got digging to plant a tree in memory of the local men and women who served the country in the First World War, and councillors joined them at Bankes Park, Billinge.
A representative from each primary school in the area, Chapel End, St Aidan’s and Birchley St Mary’s, planted the single copper beech tree after entering a competition to write the wording for a plaque that will also be placed at the site.
Councillor Joe Pearson, St Helens Council’s cabinet member for adult social care and health, delivered a story from World War One about the significance of planting the tree, in relation to the ‘Lone Tree’ which sat in No Man’s Land during the aftermath of the 1915 Battle of Loos. The story has it the tree was cut down and sections of it taken away by soldiers as a souvenir.
Cabinet member for schools and lifelong learning Cllr Sue Murphy, said: “It was great to see the children take such a mature approach. The tree symbolises new life and is a tribute to the people of our village who gave their lives for our freedom.”
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