WORCESTER’S first citizen has spoken of his delight after the Faithful City was named a ‘Champion City’ in The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) scheme.
Mayor of Worcester Coun Stephen Hodgson spoke after Worcester joined Belfast, Cardiff, Chester, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Newcastle, Preston, Swansea, Southampton and York on the list on Tuesday (November 16).
Set up to celebrate Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022, the QGC invited cities from across the United Kingdom to apply for ‘Champion City’ status.
The scheme seeks to celebrate UK cities which have trees and woodlands as a central part of their plans for green spaces, for example in the form of a dynamic green recovery plan or green city charter, as well as community-oriented environmental project.
More details about what this will mean for the city will be announced soon, but Coun Hodgson revealed his delight at the honour.
“On behalf of the people of Worcester I would like to express what a great honour it is for our city to be named as one of The Queen’s Green Canopy Champion Cities,” he said.
“The city council will now work with residents to plant new trees at each of our Queen Elizabeth II Fields in Trust green spaces and I will be leading a special tree-planting ceremony at King George V playing fields.
“Local residents will be involved in the choice of trees and in the design of the setting for the King George V playing fields tree.”
The Queen Elizabeth II Fields in Trust green spaces in Worcester are St Peter’s Power Park, the Cherry Orchard local nature reserve, the Offerton Lane local nature reserve, Weyburn Close, Northwick Lido, Oldbury Road park, Warndon Park and Cromwell Crescent.
Events to celebrate Worcester’s status as a Champion City will be held by the QGC in due course.
