A New Tree for an Old King...
Walking past the old leather tanning area of Pinchnose Green on the way up to St. Peter's Church, a majestic royal oak stands sentinel. This fine village landmark was planted in November 1902 to mark the coronation of King Edward VII on the 9th of August. We feature it here on the 6th of May 2023 to mark the coronation of King Charles III.
A brief entry from the Parish Magazine in December of that year recorded the moment:
'A Coronation Oak, the gift of Mr H T West JP, Chairman of the Parish Council, was planted on the 20th (November) by Mrs West, in the presence of the school-children and various friends, on the spare piece of ground abutting the Beeches in Church Street. Mr West in explaining the occasion addressed himself chiefly to the children who would watch the tree grow up. The Vicar on behalf of the Parish thanked Mr and Mrs West.'
A brief entry from the Parish Magazine in December of that year recorded the moment:
'A Coronation Oak, the gift of Mr H T West JP, Chairman of the Parish Council, was planted on the 20th (November) by Mrs West, in the presence of the school-children and various friends, on the spare piece of ground abutting the Beeches in Church Street. Mr West in explaining the occasion addressed himself chiefly to the children who would watch the tree grow up. The Vicar on behalf of the Parish thanked Mr and Mrs West.'
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Beeches' was the more decorous name for the late Medieval 'Leeches' cottage, which has since become known as 'The Cat House' thanks to the cat and canary based actions of owner Robert 'Bob' Ward and his neighbour Canon Nathaniel Woodard some decades prior to the planting. The vicar of the day was William Wakeford who served from 1899 until his death in 1912. Although the words of Mr. West's speech that day at the planting were not recorded, note the plaque and perhaps try to conjure them forth the next time you walk past on a quiet day. |
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The newly planted Coronation oak, 1902. Image: Henfield Museum
King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra at Buckingham Palace before the Coronation. Image: c/o the Royal Collection Trust via Wikimedia Commons
The freshly planted Coronation Oak, 1902. The pile of debris may be earth replaced by compost. Image: Henfield Museum
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