On the 15th 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 to celebrate this auspicious event on an unusually warm Winter day.
The tree will also serve to celebrate the 200 year anniversary of the Swiss Garden, founded in 1824 by Robert Henley, 3rd Lord Ongley. 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.
