THIS IS FINDON VILLAGE - Findon's Lady Diana Tree

THIS IS FINDON VILLAGE — www.findonvillage.com created by Valerie Martin, contains scenes from her home village of Findon, West Sussex, U.K.

FINDON'S LADY DIANA TREE

OS reference TQ 126 083

One evening at the end of May 2006 I spied a suspicious character leaving Nepcote Green. I was even more surprised the following morning to see the silhouette of a figure kneeling below the tree I always refer to as the Lady Diana Tree.

This tree was planted on the eastern edge of the Green by the Findon Parish Council to commemorate the marriage of H.R.H. Prince Charles to Lady Diana Spencer on 29th July 1981.

I decided to stop the car and investigate further with the aid of Suzie and Katie...

As I drew closer, the kneeling form of a man appeared to be digging a hole with a spade.

All was soon revealed. It was only John Stepney who had been commissioned by the Parish Council to erect a new fence to replace the sagging original. The previous evening, he had merely been measuring up on site.

"It's not quite vertical, John"...

"That's better".

"Have you finished yet?" "No, I've only just got started, people keep talking to me".

Katie and Suzie are sure they could assist with digging holes for posties..... and getting in the way in general.....

Diana has now gone..... Charles is now married to Camilla...... but hey...... I've just realized that the Findon Parish Council didn't plant a tree for Camilla. If there's any spare money in the kitty..... what about it? And then we could have ANOTHER fence too.

31st May 2006

Valerie,

What a good idea, let's change all the things dedicated to Diana to Camilla who is a far more deserving person.

We don't need to spend anymore money, let's just forget Diana and be happy with the far more dignified and regal Camilla.

Nish Vardy, Findon Village, West Sussex.

1st June 2006

Dear Valerie,

Di and Camilla

I never thought I would agree with Nish on anything but wonders will never cease – yes Camilla is much more deserving of a tree than Di ! Well said sir !

Lawrie May, Antigua, West Indies.

Nevertheless, the question still remains..... why didn't the Parish Council erect a tree for Camilla on HER wedding day? Had funds run out?

I'm not quite sure who Jill is, or where she comes from, as she doesn't say....

1st June 2006

Royal Wedding Memorial Tree-planting

Good morning. It says today:

This tree was planted on the eastern edge of the Green by the Findon Parish Council
to commemorate the marriage of H.R.H. Prince Charles to Lady Diana Spencer
on 29th July 1981.

Not clear if that is the wording on that plaque in the photographs, or just a description of the tree's historical significance.

Surely Findon taxpayers of the era would not have made this gesture to recognize the marriage of Ms. Spencer, anymore than to recognize that of Ms. Shand in their own rights ? Nor of Ms. Wallis; nor of Ms. Bowes-Lyon.

The project must have been funded to commemorated the marriage of the heir to the throne. Assuming no doubt that this would continue the line. And that Charles would be Monarch, she his Queen.

Maybe the time to pay for another commemorative Royal tree-planting is when Prince William takes this significant step.

Jill.

2nd June 2006

Dear Valerie.

Don't want to decry John's splendid efforts - but what does the fence do? Tree looks pretty sturdy.

Surely it is the plaque that needs to be set in stone to protect it from the extremists that seem to abound down there. Going to be vandalised or nicked sometime.

Why one tree? lots must have gone in the '87 storm - 2 foot "whips" don't cost very much and get off to a better start than larger and more expensive trees - each child from Findon School could plant one and put their own name on it. Give them a real sense of belonging and something to come back to................

Regards John

John C. Greves, Walton on Thames, Surrey.

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E-mail: valeriemartin@findonvillage.com