An Aylsham High School pupil with a tree associated name restored the school’s tree species acronym with the long-awaited addition of a mountain ash, thanks to The Tree Council.
Planted in 1957, the row of ash, yew, lime, sycamore, hornbeam and acacia, at the front of the Norfolk school currently spells out AYLSHA, if you take the first letter of each tree species.
But now Aylsham High School, The Tree Council – and a pupil named Rowan – have introduced a mountain ash in the missing space so the acronym finally spells out the town’s name as it should.
Rowan is another name for mountain ash.
Aylsham High School pupils planting the trees in 1957
Aylsham High School pupil, Rowan Curtis said: “It’s amazing to plant a tree that shares my name!
“I will enjoy watching it grow whilst I attend Aylsham High School, and for years after.”
The planting comes in the wake of efforts by Aylsham High School pupils, and the Town Council’s Climate Emergency Group, to establish more than 800 trees as a hedgerow near the Old Station Yard. The planting was funded by The Tree Council’s Network Rail Community Tree Planting Programme.
Duncan Spalding, Executive Headteacher of Aylsham High School said “How wonderful to reinstate such a fantastic celebration of Aylsham High and of our natural world.
“Every ring inside those trees represents a new class joining AHS; every fifth ring a whole school career. It is lovely that the word Aylsham will be complete once more and that a project started almost 70 years ago will get a new lease of life from our current students.
“Here’s to them all growing together.”
Aylsham High School pupil, Rowan Curtis and The Tree Council’s Adam Curtis with the newly planted mountain ash
Adam Curtis, The Tree Council’s Senior Officer ‑ Community Planting Projects, said: “Finally, the tree acronym will actually spell out Aylsham! It’s been a long time coming, and the trees planted in 1957 will be a little more established than their new neighbour.
“But how wonderful for children today to be able to connect with that planting from more than 60 years ago. We hope Aylsham High School pupils will still be enjoying these beautiful trees in another 60 years.”
Find out more about The Tree Council’s Network Rail Community Planting Fund by visiting www.treecouncil.org.uk/grants-and-guidance/our-grants/network-rail-community-tree-planting-fund/
