Visitors to a much-loved park now have two new trees to enjoy – thanks to three groups in the town.

A tree to commemorate the late Queen's Jubilee as part of the Queen's Green Canopy scheme has been planted in Sandbach Park.

The tree is jointly funded by The Friends of Sandbach Park with the Rotary Club of Sandbach Crosses.

A second tree dedicated to the late Craig Bailey, who sadly died a year ago, jointly funded by the Grassroots Disability Group and Friends of Sandbach Park has also been planted in the park.

A beech tree has been planted in memory of the late Craig Bailey

Representatives of all three groups and Craig's mum, Diane Bailey (pictured above far right), were in the park yesterday (Saturday) to mark the planting of both trees.

Diane Bailey said she was honoured that a tree, a beech towards the top of the park, had been planted in her late son's memory.

"Craig loved the park and enjoyed coming here. He spent so much time here and this is a wonderful memorial to him," she said.  

"There are other things happening in the park in his memory. It's a wonderful place and Craig spent a lot of time here."

Craig Bailey championed disability rights and was a vice chairman of Sandbach Partnership.

The late Craig Bailey (Photo: Sandbach Partnership)

Councillor Mike Benson, who chairs the Friends of Sandbach Park, said Craig helped make the park disability-friendly, "road tested" paths.

"He was a big help to us ensuring the park was wheelchair-friendly and the tree is a wonderful addition to the park."

Malcolm Bulger, president of the Rotary Club of Sandbach Crosses, said the club was honoured to be involved with Sandbach Park.

The tree, jointly funded by The Friends of Sandbach Park with the Rotary Club of Sandbach Crosses, is a cherry tree.

 "The Rotary Club has a long tradition with conservation and looking after the planet," said Mr Bulger.

"Parks are a great place for people to visit and we're delighted to be part of the Green Canopy scheme and to have this tree planted in Sandbach Park."

A huge tree planting scheme has taken place nationwide as part of the late Queen's Platinum jubilee celebration. 

In December, another cherry tree, part of the late Queen's Green Canopy, was planted at the start of Sandbach's Dingle Wood path. Read the story here: https://sandbach.nub.news/news/local-news/congleton-mp-fiona-bruce-plants-a-tree-in-sandbach-as-part-of-the-late-queens-green-canopy-162833?fbclid=IwAR0SODCzz7s1ud8fZyn0V6jJJoAmLGE-EbxMyR6C3U0RsVStHClhYAXUzDE