TO CELEBRATE the Queen's Jubilee, Salisbury will be getting a green transformation.

In addition to planting a Jubilee Avenue of trees across Hudson’s Field, and on top of its usual tree maintenance programme, Salisbury City Council has decided to spend an extra £15,000 on the first stages of a city-wide tree planting project to help create a "greener, healthier future for ourselves, our children and our wildlife".

Cllr Annie Riddle said: “We could have decided to splash this money on a tea party in the Market Place. Here today, gone tomorrow.

“But finances are as tight for us as they are for our residents, and we preferred, in line with the climate change and environmental priorities that voters spelled out to us before last May’s elections, to create something of more lasting value.

“We have been encouraged to hear that a lot of street parties are already being planned, and we would urge all our communities to get involved in celebrating the Jubilee in their own way.”

However, plans not to host a community event have come under fire. 

Cllr Charles McGrath, the leader of the Salisbury City Council Conservative group, said: "An event marking HM the Queen's Platinum Jubilee would be a great opportunity for Salisbury residents to come together and celebrate at the heart of the city. Ideas for such an event, including a tea party on the Guildhall Square, have been discussed by councillors over the last few months and were met with considerable cross-party support. 

"While we're more than aware of some fantastic community events being planned across Salisbury, it's disappointing that the city council's leadership group has not budgeted for this in their recently passed budget. I would urge them to reconsider and give the city of Salisbury the chance to mark this once-in-a-lifetime occasion."

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