STONEHOUSE threw a party for one of its oldest residents on Sunday, as the Globe willow celebrated its 100th birthday.

Located outside the Globe Inn, the tree has been a landmark at the heart of the town’s community for many years.

It was pollarded on the day by arboricultural specialists Bartlett Tree Experts, as the crowd delivered a rousing rendition of happy birthday.

Cuttings were distributed to children for them to grow their own Globe willow at home, and all of the children also received a party bag and a slice of birthday cake.

More than 250 visitors attended the event over the course of the day, making the most of some glorious sunshine and dodging the occasional shower.

They were entertained by jugglers on unicycles who also made balloon animals for the children, and music was provided by a local ukulele band.

Refreshments were served by Stonehouse in Bloom volunteers and there were a number of stalls where visitors could learn about the work of groups including the local gardening club, Women’s Institute and the Stonehouse Community Climate Action Forum.

Stonehouse History Group provided a display telling the story of the Globe willow, and descendants of the town councillor who originally planted the tree in 1921 were also present.

The Arboricultural Association were in attendance to give tree care advice amongst a pop-up forest created from the 25 trees which will be planted around the town in the next few months, all supplied by Barcham tree nursery.

The first tree of the season, an Atlas cedar, was planted on the village green in front of the Globe Inn by John Parker of the Arboricultural Association, with some help from local residents.

The event also marked the launch of the Stonehouse Community Arboretum Management Plan – the new tree and woodland strategy for the town which sets out ambitious plans to transform the way trees in Stonehouse are cared for, planted, appreciated and understood.

At the heart of the plan is community engagement, and the Globe Willow birthday party was just the first of what will hopefully be many events to do just that.

The plan is available to download here: bit.ly/3DcemEr

Further details via: john@trees.org.uk