Rose varieties named after Her Majesty the Queen and her late husband HRH Prince Phillip should be planted side-by-side in Oldham’s major public parks and gardens as a tribute to our Royal Family, suggests Oldham Liberal Democrat Leader, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE.

In a letter to Labour Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, Councillor Amanda Chadderton, and Head of Parks and Countryside, Glenn Dale, Councillor Sykes feels that, as the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee will be celebrated across the nation next year, such an action will represent a fitting tribute to mark ‘this milestone in the exemplary contribution of Britain’s longest-serving monarch, and her late and faithful husband’.

“Not only will the new rose beds be enjoyed by the many residents of our borough who already frequent our parks and gardens, but they will symbolise both our Queen’s incredible seven decades of public service, until recently with the Prince always by her side, and the continued admiration and gratitude of the people of this borough for the work and dedication of the Royal Family”.

Councillor Sykes also wants to get the borough’s residents involved in tree planting to mark the Platinum Jubilee, and has suggested a programme involving schools and community planting trees in our parks and gardens.

“Trees are good for the soul and for our environment. I think this would be a very special and wonderful project for our borough, and something that many of our residents would enjoy and value getting involved in.”