A ginkgo was planted on The Causeway after Horsham's Armistice Day service, replacing the 1986 Peace Tree in the Carfax, which was felled this year because of decay.

Horsham has a new Peace Tree. A young ginkgo was planted on The Causeway this morning, after the town’s Armistice Day service at the war memorial in the Carfax (Horsham District Council).

It replaces the original Peace Tree, which was planted in the Carfax in 1986 to mark the United Nations’ International Year of Peace. The council says that tree had to be removed earlier this year after significant decay was found, because it had become a risk to public safety.

Why a ginkgo

The council chose the species for two reasons. Ginkgo trees survived the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima, and are seen as a symbol of peace and regeneration. They are also considered particularly resilient to a changing climate, with what the council calls “great autumn colour”.

Cllr Joanne Knowles, chair of Horsham District Council, planted it. The council said it chose Armistice Day as “a fitting opportunity to reflect upon and honour all those who have served, sacrificed, and worked towards securing peace around the world”.

Cllr Joanne Knowles, chair of Horsham District Council, with a ceremonial spade beside the newly planted ginkgo on The Causeway, Horsham.
Cllr Joanne Knowles plants the new Peace Tree on The Causeway. Photo: Horsham District Council

The service in the Carfax

The council said:

  • prayers were led by Rev’d Canon Lisa Barnett
  • the Exhortation was read by Zäl Rustom, chair of the Horsham branch of the Royal British Legion
  • the Last Post was sounded by Cllr Martin Boffey, leader of the district council
  • neighbouring schools and organisations attended

After the silence at 11am, Cllr Knowles laid the first wreath on behalf of the people of the district. The memorial was then opened for anyone to lay their own.

There was also a short service at Hills Cemetery, in memory of Captain Czeslaw Witold Chojnicki, a Polish soldier whose grave is there.

Remembrance Sunday

Three days earlier, the council said, hundreds gathered at the Carfax memorial on Remembrance Sunday (Horsham District Council). Olivia Pinkney, Deputy Lord-Lieutenant of West Sussex, led the wreath laying. Wreaths were also laid by Cllr Knowles, John Milne MP, Mr Rustom and Cllr Jay Mercer, leader of West Sussex County Council. The parade then went on to St Mary’s Parish Church for the Service of Remembrance.

What it means for you

The new tree is on The Causeway, the street that leads to St Mary’s Church, and anyone can go and see it now.

Sources