On 15 February 2024 the Lord Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Mrs Susan Lousada, visited the Swiss Garden, Shuttleworth Collection, Old Warden to dedicate a tree to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III. The tree, an Indian Horse Chestnut, believed to be a favourite of King Charles III, has been planted on a mound opposite the Swiss Cottage and a plaque will be placed there in due course. The Lord Lieutenant advised that this was her first tree dedication, expressed her pleasure at creating a sustainable living legacy to mark His Majesty’s Coronation and hoped that many generations and families seeing the tree would remember that event. The Lord Lieutenant ensured the tree had been planted correctly and would continue to grow well by giving it a good shake.

 

The tree ceremony was followed by a short walk around the garden with Shuttleworth and Friends of the Swiss Garden alumni in attendance. This was a great opportunity for the Lord Lieutenant to see the Garden in all its glory.

 

Many members of the Friends of the Swiss Garden attended the dedication ceremony and enjoyed a social gathering afterwards.

 

A letter of thanks has been received from the Lord Lieutenant’s Office. The Lord Lieutenant said how wonderful it was to tour the garden on a surprisingly warm February afternoon and see the beautiful spring flowers in the sunshine. She asked for her heartfelt thanks to be passed on to the volunteers who make the Swiss Garden the treasure that it is and congratulated Tony Young, the Head Gardener on the obvious impact he has had in a short time. She thoroughly enjoyed her time at the Garden and says that she intends to return before too long.

If she returns in the next few months she may be able to come to one of the events planned during our 200 year celebrations.  The tree dedication was the inaugural event in this bi-centennial year and further events are being planned and will be officially launched in April. Details will be available on both the Shuttleworth and Friends of the Swiss Garden websites.