When the Mayor of Macclesfield, Councillor Thelma Jackson was asked to officiate at a tree planting ceremony at the Anson Engine Museum she was delighted to accept, as trees are something she feels very passionate about. Imagine her surprise when instead of being handed a shovel for the job she was asked if she would like tweezers instead? The oak tree she was asked to plant was only 2 inches high. It was the first tree of over 1000 that are to be planted on a topographical scale model of Poynton showing the village in the early 1900s.
The model is part of the Local History area at the museum on Anson Road. It has been built over many months by volunteers under the organization of Roy Dudley and John Simpson.
The tiny oak tree was added to the model showing the point where the vicarage is today. The real oak tree in the vicarage garden is well over 100 years old and is still in leaf to this day. “It is the oldest tree in Poynton as far as we can tell” explained Roy Dudley.
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| Chosing the oak tree from amongst the other examples |
The Mayor said she was thrilled to be asked to plant the tree on the model “trees are very dear to my heart and with this being the Year of the Gardens, planting trees is a great way to mark the occasion”. She went on to add “I am sure Les and Ena Cawley would be proud of what the volunteers have achieved at the museum. It has grown such a lot over the years and is a great legacy of what they started.”
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| the actual planting |
Among the visitors at the ceremony were some of the volunteers who have worked so hard on the model, representatives from Poynton Parish Council, Poynton Tourist Information Centre, Macclesfield Borough Council, the Peaks and Plains Tourism Association and Visit Chester and Cheshire. After examining the Local History exhibits and looking at some of the many engines at the museum they all enjoyed a cream tea before departing.
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| Watering in using the tiny red watering can |
The model is on display in the Local History area of the museum. There is no additional fee to see this area, regular admission applies. The museum is open 10:00 – 17:00 every Friday, Saturday and Sunday until the 26th of October.
