A GROUP of primary school children in Cheshire West have commemorated the King's Coronation with the help one of the borough's oldest country estates.

Year 5 children from Farndon Primary School's Gardening Club planted a tree in the grounds of the school with assistance from Ed Barnston of the Barnston Estate.

Ed provided the school with a liquid amber tree (also commonly called Sweetgums), known for its vibrant colours and maple-like leaves. He helped nine-year-old Felix and ten-year-olds Henry, Phoebe and Zara to dig a hole and plant the special sapling.

Keen gardener and nature expert Felix, said: "I’m looking forward to the King’s Coronation and watching it on television. It’s amazing. We’ve got Coronation plates in specially.”

Zara said: "It was good to plant a tree to commemorate such a historic day and I’m looking forward to seeing it grow. We have been learning a lot about the Coronation in school over the past few weeks."

Chester and District Standard: The pupils got stuck in, digging the hole for the liquid amber tree.The pupils got stuck in, digging the hole for the liquid amber tree. (Image: Barnston Estate)

Andrew Walker, Head Teacher of Farndon Primary School, Churton Road, said: "We do mini projects every term and this term we have focused on the Coronation. We’ve discussed all sorts of topics from British values to the role of the monarchy through history and the children have been fascinated. They’ve also learnt a Coronation song which they’ll perform to parents later this week.

"It was great to work with the Barnston Estate to plant a symbolic tree at the front of the school which all the children can enjoy seeing grow.

"This week we’ve also got a Coronation Bake-off, egg decorating, handmade bunting going up around the school and an exhibition of the children’s Coronation artwork as well as lots of themed craft activities. It’s very exciting."

Ed Barnston, Manager of the Barnston Estate, which said: "It was great to meet some of the children from Farndon Primary School and to get them involved with the tree planting.

"They really got stuck in helping to dig a hole and prepare the soil and asked lots of interesting questions about the type of tree and how it will change with the seasons. I hope it will bring decades of bright colour to the school grounds."

Barnston is one of Cheshire’s oldest family estates, consisting of 1,800 acres in and around the villages of Farndon, Churton and Hapsford in rural Cheshire.

More information is available at: www.barnstonestate.com.