Plantings at Cambridge Primary Schools during National Tree Week

Thanks to the Cambridge Alumnae Group further plantings took place during National Tree Week at more primary schools in Cambridge. On 29 November alumnae Jo Burch and Avril Pedley planted a Lilac tree at Great and Little Shelford Primary. The picture below shows them with the Head Girl and Boy and Deputy Head Girl and Boy.

In attendance at University Primary School (pictures below) were Lottie Collis – Newnham’s Head Gardener, whose daughter is at the school – Jo Burch, Francesca di Nuzzo, and Janet Porter together with Head James Biddulph and pupils from the School’s Ministry of the Environment. They also planted a Lilac tree. The school head remarked: “We will have shade for 150 years to come”.

Principal Alison Rose, several Cambridge group alumnae and Newnham Schools Liaison and Outreach Officer Aisling Gilgeours were in attendance for the planting of another Lilac tree at Barrington Primary. Newnham ambassadors – JCR Access Officer Nabiha Ahmed and fresher Sophie Wrigglesworth – delivered a hugely popular talk for an assembly about university life.

The Lilac tree is “Magical, medicinal, fragrant, loved by birds and butterflies, symbolising love, memory, and wisdom, around the world”.

On 2 December at Harston & Newton Primary School, Newnham student ambassadors Erin Jones, Bethan Holloway-Strong and Charlotte Armstrong also spoke at an assembly. The school’s Student Council members from all year groups helped plant an apple tree along with Newnham’s Director of Communications and alumna Harriet Truscott, and alumna Dr Sian Seng (whose children go to the school).

Find out more and see these trees on our interactive tree map here.