PLATINUM JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS

Cullybackey College Detachment, 1st (NI) Battalion Army Cadet Force (ACF) along with 1st Cullybackey Scout Groups got involved in Planting Trees for the Platinum Jubilee “Queen’s Green Canopy” in celebration of the Queen’s 70 years of service to the Nation.   

The two young oak trees were planted along the Millennium Walk on what proved to be a sunny Spring morning and set the scene for this and litter pick which followed. The village youth organisations were also joined by Mid and East Antrim (MEA) Deputy Mayor Councillor Matthew Armstrong and Councillor Timothy Gaston who got “mucked in” with the Deputy Mayor digging the first sod, Councillor Timothy Gaston carrying the bag of soil and both even got involved in a bit of litter picking too. 

Mr Bertie McNeilly (CCP) gave instructions to both cadets and cub scouts as to how to plant the trees and caring of them. 

MEA Deputy Mayor Councillor Matthew Armstrong said; 

“I would like to congratulate all involved for organising such a special morning, and creating a legacy in honour of Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee”. 

The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) is a unique tree planting initiative created to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022 inviting people from across the United Kingdom to “Plant a Tree for the Jubilee”.  The planting of trees will create a legacy in honour of The Queen’s leadership of the Nation, which will benefit future generations.  

After the litter pick both cadets and cubs were presented Platinum Jubilee pins by Cub Leader Lorraine McDowell and Lt Stephen Lyons and treated to hot chocolate and crisps. 

Cub Scout Aarron Higgins from 1st Cullybackey Cub Scout Group said; 

“We had a great day joining in the tree plant for the Queen’s Jubilee, with the cubs and cadets and even got to try on the Deputy Mayor’s chain of office”! 

This community event also goes towards the Army Cadets Duke of Edinburgh Award Volunteering, their John Muir Environmental Award, and the Cubs Environmental Conservation Activity Badges and for both Cadets and Cub Scouts The Jubilee Edition of the Royal Forestry Society (RFS) Junior Forester Award. 

Many thanks to Mid and East Antrim Council, Cullybackey Community Partnership, Cullybackey Army Cadets and Cullybackey Cubs.