Havant Borough Council has been involved with the Tree Council’s Tree Warden Scheme since 1992 and was one of 14 local authorities to receive a commemorative plaque in recognition of a long running commitment to the Tree Warden Scheme.

To commemorate their involvement, Jamie Gargett, Havant Borough Council’s Tree Officer, co-ordinator of the Havant Borough Tree Warden Scheme, Frances Jannaway and Councillor Gibb-Gray attended the special reception.

Havant Borough Council’s Tree Officer, Jamie Gargett said “It is a valuable scheme that promotes trees and arboricultural issues in partnership with the community”

The Tree Council, the lead UK tree campaigning charity, supported and sponsored by National Grid, launched its countrywide Tree Warden Scheme in 1990. Since then, it has continued to co-ordinate the scheme nationally and to work with partners to develop and maintain local Tree Warden networks in villages, suburbs, towns and cities.

The event was hosted by Brian Donohoe MP, with guest speaker the Under Secretary of State Baroness Andrews OBE. Other Tree Council Awards to honour 10 years’

commitment to the Tree Warden Scheme went to: Bournville Village Trust, Brentwood Borough Council, Chorley Borough Council, Colchester Borough Council, Cotswold District Council, East Cambridgeshire District Council, Epping Forest District Council, Havant Borough Council, Lancaster City Council, Leeds City Council, London Borough of Barnet, London Borough of Wandsworth, Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, South Staffordshire District Council, St Edmundsbury Borough Council.

Frances Jannaway, Tree Warden Co-ordinator said: "Trees play a very important part in Havant in terms of natural heritage, landscape and give a special character to our roads. The Tree Warden Scheme is a celebration of how local people can work together with the local authority to preserve and improve the natural environment to benefit the whole of the community.

“We are very pleased and proud to have been involved with such an important and valuable scheme for so many years. We recognise that the success of the Tree Warden Scheme is reliant upon the continued commitment and enthusiasm of its local Tree Wardens and look forward to our continued commitment and success with the scheme."

If you would like further details on the scheme or are interested in becoming a Tree Warden please contact Frances Jannaway, Tree Warden Co-ordinator on 01243 430314.