A 'Tree of Hope' was dedicated in St Albans as part of a project to mark the late Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

Tree lovers clubbed together to plant a mulberry tree in the churchyard at St Peter's Church.

The tree donors - including vicar of St Peter's Mark Dearnley, county council chair Cllr Annie Brewster and county councillor Helen Campbell - gathered on Saturday, March 11 to name and toast the tree.

On Sunday a short outdoor ceremony was held in front of members of the congregation and county councillor Anthony Rowlands, where the vicar gave the tree the church's blessing.

The tree was planted in February as part of the Queen's Green Canopy project, which called for communities to plant more trees across the UK.

Amanda Yorwerth, member of the Trees of St Albans group, said: "We’re delighted that The Tree of Hope has found a home in the beautiful churchyard at St Peter's.

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"We hope that in years to come visitors to the churchyard – both human and wild – will enjoy the shade, shelter and delicious fruit that the tree will give.

"We’d welcome the opportunity to plant further trees in other locations around the district."

There are only a handful of mulberry trees in St Albans, and they are not native to the UK - having originally been brought here by the Romans.

Anthony Helm, another member of the Trees of St Albans group, said: "The Tree of Hope has been a real community effort, with so many people contributing money, work on the planting, creating the stylish plaque and the space. We are grateful to them all."

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To complete each ceremony, Anthony read a poem written specially for the occasion. 

The poem is as follows:

The Tree of Hope

Today a tree is planted
In this quiet ancient place
We gather in a circle
Respectful and with grace.

Each planting is important
Connecting as it does
Humanity and nature
Predicting springtime’s buzz.

New trees are essential
Yet we need them gnarled and old
We need them by the roadsides
Counteracting traffic’s hold.

Trees lift the human spirit
Give hope to everyone
Whatever be their journey
Be it hard or very long.

They filter muddy waters
Revitalise dusty air
Soften unwanted noises
Shade those in deep despair.

And in this city churchyard
We’ve widened vast our scope
This tree becomes a beacon
It is our 'Tree of Hope'.