Sir Tom memorial – a tribute from a landscaping firm and nursery suppliers

Harrogate Landscaping firm, Ray Skelton (Harrogate) Ltd and Yorkshire nursery Johnsons of Whixley have recently helped create a touching memorial for a national hero and fundraiser Captain Sir Tom Moore, who in 2020 raised millions for the NHS and also celebrated his 100th birthday before sadly passing in February this year.
Unveiled in July, alongside Sir Tom’s family, junior soldiers and sponsors, the memorial sits at the Army Foundation College Harrogate, where he was an honorary colonel.
Ray Skelton (Harrogate) Ltd commissioned Kris Elvidge, a local stone mason to engrave the stones that can be seen on the front and back of the college headquarters identifying the start and finish of the Capt Sir Tom Moore Walk. They also created four seating areas that surround a centre stone halfway along the main walkway taken by junior soldiers on parade day.
Johnsons, who celebrated their centenary in June, donated two Magnolia ‘Double Diamond’ 200-250 110L trees and 50 Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’.  The trees are among six planted by the junior soldiers from the army college, to honour of Sir Tom and to launch the Queen’s Green Canopy campaign across the country.
Stuart Skelton, Director of Ray Skelton (Harrogate) Ltd, says: “It has been an honour and a privilege to be involved in the Captain Sir Tom Moore Memorial, hopefully, this will continue to inspire future generations of Junior Soldiers.”
Eleanor Richardson, Johnsons of Whixley’s marketing manager, adds: “We were delighted to be part of this fitting tribute to Captain Sir Tom Moore, who was a true inspiration. The donation is particularly fitting as the magnolia is native to Asia, where he served during World War II.”
The Queen’s Green Canopy is a tree planting initiative to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2021. People across the UK are being invited to ‘plant a tree for the jubilee’, with community groups and schools encouraged to take part from October, when the tree planting season begins.

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