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18

May 2021

Last Updated: 18/05/2021
Environment
Environment

Trees planted to honour Captain Tom at Harrogate's army college

by Thomas Barrett

| 18 May, 2021
Comment

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Captain Tom was honorary colonel of the college on Pennypot Lane. The planting is part of the Queen’s Green Canopy, a campaign to plant trees to mark next year's platinum jubilee next year.

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Junior soldiers at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate have planted six magnolia trees in tribute to Captain Sir Tom Moore, who was the honorary colonel of the college on Pennypot Lane.

The planting is part of the Queen’s Green Canopy, an initiative to plant trees to mark next year's platinum jubilee.

The project was launched yesterday by the queen and Prince Charles, who planted a tree at Windsor Castle.

The choice of a magnolia tree, which is native to Asia, is designed to be poignant as during Captain Tom's service during World War Two he served in India and Burma.




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Having been raised in Keighley, West Yorkshire, Captain Sir Tom was made an honorary colonel of the Army Foundation College in Harrogate last spring. He later visited the college to speak to junior soldiers and was invited back for their graduation in September.

He raised almost £33m for NHS Charities Together by walking lengths of his garden in Bedfordshire, hitting the headlines in the process. He died aged 100 in February this year.

Junior soldier Michael Oates said:

"I’ve really enjoyed it. It’s been a new experience for me and it’s ace. Captain Tom was born in the same place, and went to the same school as my mum, who has passed away. So, it’s good to see someone from a place close to me.
"Planting trees and helping the environment is really good. It makes me proud to know that I am a part of this."