Congleton: Double Jubilee celebration at the Lovell Quinta Arboretum
By Alex Greensmith
6th May 2022 | Local News
A special celebration has been held at a peaceful green space in Congleton.
For the Lovell Quinta Arboretum, a 28-acre site in Swettenham near Congleton, 2022 is a year of double celebration.
Not only is it the Her Majesty The Queen's Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years of her reign, but it's also the Diamond Jubilee of the Tatton Garden Society (TGS), marking 60 years since the Society's creation.
The Tatton Garden Society is the parent charity of the Arboretum and has been running the site since 2003.
Sir Bernard Lovell, who originally created the Arboretum which is now named in his honour, planted many of the avenues and features in celebration of life events. These include the Reith Avenue, planted to celebrate his series of Reith lectures in the 1950s, and many others.
Following in this tradition, the TGS have created the 'Jubilee Malus Avenue' of 18 malus (crab apple) trees at the Arboretum to mark the double celebration.
The official opening took place on last last month, on a beautifully warm, sunny, spring day.
The opening ceremony was performed by Lord Lieutenant Lady Alexis Redmond.
In attendance were Sir Phil Redmond; the High Sheriff of Cheshire Jeannie France-Hayhurst; the Viscount Ashbrook, President of Tatton Garden Society; Professor David Skidmore, Chair of Tatton Garden Society; Viscountess Ashbrook; Past Lord Lieutenant David Briggs, Deputy Lieutenant Rob Barrow and Mrs. Pam Barrow; William Robinson, managing director of Robinsons' Brewery (owners of the neighbouring Swettenham Arms pub); representatives from the Jodrell Bank Observatory and National Gardens Scheme; and members of Sir Bernard's family.
The event, which included a drinks reception, was organised by TGS members Victoria Wrather and Alex Ellison and was attended by over 50 people including members of the Society and volunteers from the Arboretum who do a wonderful job of keeping the site in its present beautiful condition.
Queen Elizabeth II's reign and the Arboretum also have another thing in common, both being established in the 1950s.
In her opening speech, Lord Lieutenant Lady Redmond said: "There are now more than 2,500 trees and shrubs in the Arboretum, which is an internationally recognised collection. As well as being a resource for members it is open to the public and is widely valued as a recreational place of tranquillity by the local community and visitors to Cheshire being visited by at least 8,000 people a year. The trees being planted in the Jubilee Malus Avenue are to commemorate HM The Queen's Platinum Jubilee and we are doing this on the Queen's Birthday of 21 April.
"They are part of the Queen's Green Canopy where everyone across the UK is being encouraged to play their part in enhancing our environment by planting trees to create a legacy in honour of the Queen's leadership of the Nation which will benefit future generations."
Professor David Skidmore added: ""We are planting crab apple trees which have wonderful spring blossom and colourful fruit in autumn. These are a traditional fruit in Cheshire, known in dialect as wharres. They are a symbol of joy and we hope will be things of joy into the future."
The Lovell Quinta Arboretum is located in Swettenham Village, near Congleton, Cheshire CW12 2LF (behind the Swettenham Arms). For more information on the Congleton beauty spot please visit this webpage.
Dogs on leads welcome. Entrance £2.50. Visitors are welcome to park at the Swettenham Arms if staying on for a drink or food. To find out more about the Queen's Green Canopy visit this webpage.
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