A COMMUNITY tree planting ceremony in Poole didn’t exactly go to plan after the tree was removed and hidden just hours after being planted.

Bad luck seemed to follow the Viewpoint Residents’ Association on Saturday, October 29, as they attempted to plant a tree in honour of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in the North Road playing field in Parkstone.

Also planted to mark the accession to the throne of King Charles III, a Rowan tree – sometimes known as a Mountain Ash – was chosen due to its suitability for the soil and climate.

The day, however, was not without drama. The initial preparatory work, which included digging the tree’s hole and fixing a support pole, was vandalised and the support pole went missing.

Despite this the event continued and town mayor Cllr Tony Trent planted the tree using an inscribed commemorative Poole spade first used in 1894 – coincidentally also on October 29.

Bournemouth Echo: (LtoR) Cllr Ann Stribley, Tom Forrester-Coles, mayoress and mayor of Poole, Cllr Steve Baron, Canon Keith Hugo, Jan Miller, Jim Macgregor(LtoR) Cllr Ann Stribley, Tom Forrester-Coles, mayoress and mayor of Poole, Cllr Steve Baron, Canon Keith Hugo, Jan Miller, Jim Macgregor (Image: Viewpoint Residents' Association)

The tree was then blessed by Canon Keith Hugo and ‘God Save the King’ was sung by the assembled gathering, which included local councillors Ann Stribley and Steve Baron.

More drama was to follow when later in the day when a resident walking their dog saw that the tree, wire guard and commemorative plaque had disappeared.

A search was organised and eventually the pole and wire tree guard were found hidden behind a bush. The tree was found several metres away.

Residents themselves then took it upon themselves time to re-plant the tree and cement the pole.

A Viewpoint Residents’ Association member said: “We pray our tree will grow roots and be secure in the future.”