THE FOWLMERE MILLENNIUM OAK

The Rt Hon. Miss Betty Boothroyd M.P, ex Madam Speaker of the House of Commons planted the Millennium oak tree in Fowlmere on Saturday 28th October 2000.

This was one of the first duties to be accepted by Miss Boothroyd after she retired from the post of speaker of the House of Commons and before she becomes a Member of the House of Lords. The tree was planted at 2.30p.m. on the side of the Cambridge Road Fowlmere, just past the old site of Flack's garage but on the opposite side of the road. Mr Andrew Lansley M.P. for South Cambridgeshire, District Councillor Deborah Roberts, the Chair of Fowlmere Parish Council Sarah Dixon, other members of the Parish Council, Officers and members of the Thriplow and Fowlmere WI and Fran Saltmarsh, former National Federation President of the WI, attended the ceremony.

A splendid tea in Fowlmere Village Hall followed the tree planting with everybody receiving a free cup of tea and a choice of home made cake. There were also craft, home produce, plants and cake stalls and a raffle in aid of the WI. Miss Boothroyd told us of her difficulties in identifying the male M.P's in the House of Commons as they all wore suits, whereas the ladies were easy to recognise having individual dress styles and panache. Mr Andrew Lansley M.P. said that when he first arrived as a new boy in the House of Commons he was very much aware that Miss Boothroyd was one of his constituents and thanked her for the kindness and consideration shown by her to all the new members.