An oak tree was planted in Cassiobury Park on 5 December to mark the 80th anniversary of the charity 'Association of Jewish Refugees'...
Green-fingered members of the Watford Inter Faith Association helped plant an oak tree within the Peace Garden at Cassiobury Park on 5 December, as part of the nationwide initiative ’80 Trees for 80 Years’, led by the Association of Jewish Refugees to mark the 80th anniversary of the charity.
The planting of the 80 native oak trees around Britain, including one at Cassiobury Park supported by Watford Borough Council, honour the people and places that symbolise the enormous contribution of Jewish refugees who escaped from Nazi Germany.
Among those being dedicated was Harold Meyer, former Chair and Honorary President of the Watford Inter Faith Association and also Victor Garston, who both arrived in England on the Kindertransport in 1939. Dame Helen Hyde was also recognised for her services to national state education and Holocaust Education.
This exciting and high profile project has already caught the imagination of dozens of communities around the UK, who have organised local activities around the tree planting ceremonies. As well as helping to mark the heritage of Jewish refugees, these trees will enable the association to give back to and create a living legacy within the country that became their home.
With Britain’s native oak trees in decline, the new 80 trees will be appreciated by future generations and provide natural habitats for other native species for many decades to come. Each tree will also act as a platform for telling the story of Britain’s Jewish refugees and celebrating the remarkable contribution that they have made to every walk of British life. Time capsules will also be planted alongside the roots of every tree, containing the life story of one or more AJR members.
Deputy Mayor of Watford, Aga Dychton said: “I would like to thank Watford Inter Faith Association and Association of Jewish Refugees for their dedication to such an important cause. Firstly, Oak trees are such an important part of our past and future heritage, living for centuries and supporting thousands of species of wildlife. Most importantly, the new tree in Cassiobury Park will honour the legacy of those who sought refuge in this country, made it their home and have contributed so much to its success. ”
Association of Jewish Refugees CEO, Michael Newman OBE said: “As well as helping to mark the heritage of our members and a place of historic interest associated with them, the planting of this tree enables the AJR to give back to and create a living legacy within the country that became home to the Jewish refugees. Britain’s native oak trees are in decline and new trees are desperately needed. We hope these 80 special trees will be appreciated by future generations and provide natural habitats for other native species for many decades to come.”
80 Trees for 80 Years has also been endorsed by the organisers of The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) – the unique tree planting initiative which will mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022, which described the AJR’s project as a “wonderful initiative”.
The planting will coincide with Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of light and also National Tree Week, the UK's largest annual tree celebration, which marks the start of the winter tree planting season (November to March). You can find out more on initiative at Association of Jewish Refugees website and Watford Inter Faith Association website.
