Planting the Millenium Oaks
Taken from The Seavington News - February 2000
Seavington Millennium Oaks
We thought it would pour, we thought we might not be able to get the trees, we thought it might rain while we were trying to dig the holes, we thought the mud would put everyone off.
But Sunday 9th January 2000 dawned sunny and blue - and about 100 Seavington people came to the site of the old village hall to help plant the two English oak trees to mark the turn of the century and the millennium.
The ceremony began with Reverend Alan Ripley saying a prayer for the trees, then local poet James Crowden recited his poem “Seavington Oaks” which he had written specially for the occasion.
Two residents who had lived in the village for over 80 years and the youngest resident from each village were then invited to help plant the trees. Seavington St Michael was represented ” by Mr Edwin Hawkin, who was brought up at Gummers Castle on the edge of St Michaels, as the oldest resident and Sam Gino from Winchester Cottages, the youngest. For Seavington St. Mary, Mrs Mabel Callow, who was born in Dark Lane was the oldest resident and Harry Hastilow from Stag Cottage, born on 11 December 1999 was the youngest resident.
Finally we invited everyone to come down to the village hall to sign a commemoration book as a record of those who were resident in Seavington in January 2000 and to enjoy a glass of mulled wine or cider.
The Seavington 2000 book will be making the rounds so that people who were unable to attend the event will be able to put their entry in the book.
Tree Wardens Jo and Ry would like to thank the Parish Council and the Playing Fields Committee, South Somerset District Council for helping with publicity, Reverend Alan Ripley, James Crowden, our VIP residents and everyone for coming along and supporting the event and also Alan and Paul for their sterling work digging the tree pits on Saturday.
Jo Mills & Ry Coffman
Click here to read James Crowden’s poem commemorating this event