Sapling from ancient oak planted to mark Trust’s 600th anniversary
A treasured sapling grown from an acorn of a 1,000 year-old oak tree was planted in the grounds of St Andrew’s Church, Stratton in January to mark the 600th anniversary of the Blanchminster Trust, one of the UK’s oldest grant-giving charities.
The Darley Oak is thought to have grown on the edge of Bodmin Moor for a millennium and was recognised as one of the 50 Great British Trees by the Tree Council in 2002. The sapling is one of only a handful gifted by Cornwall Council as part of the Forest for Cornwall Programme. Bude-Stratton Town Council had applied for one on behalf of the Blanchminster Trust to recognise the charity’s work spanning six centuries since 1421.
More than thirty members of the community, student councillors from Stratton Primary School, representatives from The Blanchminster Trust and Bude-Stratton Town Council came to hear Rev Teresa Folland bless the sapling and help settle it into its new home.
“The Trustees of the Blanchminster Trust are honoured that the Town Council chose to commemorate our sexacentennial (600th anniversary) by planting a sapling from Cornwall’s most celebrated tree. Like the Darley Oak, may the Trust endure and thrive for a thousand years to come,” commented Chris Nichols, Senior Stockwarden, Blanchminster Trust.
Representing BSTC was Cllr Philippa Purchase, who added: “It was lovely to be involved in planting a sapling from the Darley Oak. As the old saying goes “He who plants a tree, plants hope” and so it was especially pleasing that children from Stratton Primary School were involved in planting the tree. Here’s hoping they will be the generation who get to sit under the tree when it is grown, and benefit from the biodiversity it will provide”.
Ends
Pic caption: Blanchminster Senior Stockwarden Chris Nicols with BSTC Cllr Philippa Purchase at the tree planting with three members of Stratton Primary School’s council
