THURROCK Mayor Cllr Sue Shinnick, has planted a commemorative tulip tree today (Friday, 11 March) to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

Cllr Shinnick planted the new tree at Grays Town Park, Grays, in front of members of the community including the Friends of Grays Town Park group.

The National Association of Civic Officers (NACO) asked civic leaders to plant a tree on the 70th day of Queen Elizabeth II's 70th anniversary on the throne, as part of the national Queen's Green Canopy scheme. The initiative will see a tree planted for the Queen in every ward across the borough where they will serve as a living celebration and create a legacy in honour of The Queen's leadership.

Cllr Shinnick said: "The leaves of this tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) will open up to be shaped like a tulip, and when the tree matures it will have wonderful waterlily-like flowers.

"This is a special year for Her Majesty who has reached an astonishing milestone since she succeeded to the throne on 6 February 1952 and was crowned Queen Elizabeth II on 2 June 1953. Since that day 70 years ago, she has seen some historic moments including England winning the football World Cup in 1966, the invention of the World Wide Web in 1989, the Millennium in 2000, and civil partnerships giving same-sex couples legal rights in 2005.

"Our own QEII Bridge spanning the River Thames from Thurrock was also officially opened by Her Majesty in October 1991, and she visited Thurrock after floods devastated the region in 1953. As Mayor of Thurrock, I'm delighted to plant this tree here today."

Find out more about the Queen's Platinum Jubilee and national and local celebrations via [L]https://thurrock.gov.uk/platinumjubilee[L.] this link. [.L]