Queenswood Country Park was the venue for a very special celebration last Saturday marking the eightieth anniversary of the gifting of the site to the people of Herefordshire.

The highlight of the event was the unveiling of a commemorative plaque by Christopher James, Vice Lord Lieutenant of Herefordshire. He was joined by representatives from the Leominster Girl Guides; the Girl Guides helped plant some of the original trees on the site in 1936 when the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE) gave the site to the people of Herefordshire.

Members of the public browsed the many stalls lining Lime Avenue, watched chain saw carving and wood whittling, made nest boxes to take home and enjoyed guided walks lead by the two site rangers. The WildPlay team from Herefordshire Wildlife Trust were also busy helping children make regal capes and wild flower crowns.

Alison Thomas from 1st Marden Guides said “We enjoyed the Queenswood 80th Birthday celebrations on Saturday – despite the weather! We had a lot of interest in our stall – we made a lot of stick men, and handed out plenty of information about Brownies & Rainbows too.”

Image: Deputy Mayor of Leominster Angela Pendleton with Leominster Girl Guide Caera Jones (Image credit: Cora Jones)

Image: (Left to right) Christopher James, Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Herefordshire, John Clark of Herefordshire Wildlife Trust, Girl Guide Caera Jones
and Bob Widdowson of Campaign for the Protection of Rural England (Image credit: Cora Jones)