From little acorns... oak in royal return
Desborough residents (L-R): Steve Richards, Colin Stratford and Stuart Irons relocate an oak tree to the gardens of the Services Club to mark the forthcoming Diamond Jubilee.
AN oak tree which descended from another with history of a royal connection has been planted in a new home to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
Colin Stratford said his great-grandad was present when a tree was planted in Desborough in 1863 to mark the marriage of the then Prince of Wales to Princess Alexandra.
Mr Stratford (84), of the Peaslands, said there was an outcry when the tree in Gold Street was chopped down by council officials in the 1990s.
He said: “Kettering Council chopped it down and said it was dead – it wasn’t dead, it just looked dead.”
However, two acorns were taken from the tree – one by Mr Stratford’s late brother George and another person, who nurtured the acorn from sapling to tree and gave it to Stuart Irons, Mr Stratford’s second cousin.
The latter tree was returned to its home town when it was replanted at its new home in April at Desborough Services Club.
Mr Stratford said: “The tree must be about 7ft.
“I went down to have a look at it the other night and it’s doing lovely.”
He added: “It’s nice to have it in time for the Jubilee.
“I call it the Jubilee tree now.”
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Weather for Market Harborough
Saturday 25 May 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 5 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 6 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North west
