The president of Rotary International Britain and Ireland, David Fowler, planted a tree in Birkenhead Park in the Wirral during his recent visit to the area, taking his lead from Rotary’s founding member.
At a special event organised by the Rotary Club of Birkenhead and supported by Wirral’s 10 Rotary Clubs, the new president planted the evergreen oak (quercus ilex), one of the species planted in the original park layout in the 1840s.
David is hoping to plant a tree in each of the Rotary regions he visits throughout his year of office, following in the footsteps of the founder of Rotary Paul Harris who used to place trees during his own visits to clubs.
Tom Risely, Rotary District 1180 Environmental Officer, said: “The evergreen oak was planted in Birkenhead Park as part of a year-long nationwide initiative to mark the work of Rotarians since 1905 in building better understanding between all peoples and nations.”
The Birkenhead Park ceremony was attended by the borough’s deputy mayor and mayoress, Cllr and Mrs Alan Jennings; David’s wife Daphne Fowler; District Governor 1180 Mike Clutton and his wife Anne; as well as senior Rotarians from across Wirral.
Birkenhead Park is acknowledged to be the first publicly funded civic park in Britain and its design by Joseph Paxton influenced designer Frederick Law Olmsted’s vision for Central Park in New York.
To make this occasion even more special. president of the Rotary Club of New York David Wankoff celebrated on the same day the sponsorship of a Rotary tree in Central Park.
Mr Risely explained: “Rotarians in New York joined us on this special occasion by holding a ceremony in Central Park to mark the sponsorship of a Rotary tree there.
“This link-up not only promotes fellowship between the two countries but also strengthens the historic links between the two world-famous parks.”
20/07/09
