Airport Celebrates Its Regional Roots by Planting Commemorative Oak Tree in Wrexham

Wrexham’s AM and MP have joined in with members of the Gresford and Marford community by taking part in a special tree planting ceremony as part of Manchester Airport’s 80^th birthday celebrations.

To commemorate their landmark anniversary, Manchester Airport are planting 80 oak trees across their catchment area, with the tree in Maes y Pant woodland being the only one located in North Wales.

Wrexham’s Assembly Member, Lesley Griffiths and MP, Ian Lucas attended a ceremony last Friday with Manchester Airport’s Public Affairs Manager, Samantha Atherton, Gresford Community Councillors and members of Maes y Pant Action Group.

Pupils from the Rofft School were also invited and buried a special time capsule alongside the tree.

Maes y Pant was selected as one of the sites for a commemorative oak tree after Mr Lucas recently visited Manchester Airport.

Speaking after the ceremony, Ian Lucas MP said: “Thousands of people from Wrexham use Manchester Airport every year so it is only right that we have an oak tree planted here to mark the airport’s 80th year. I’d like to thank everyone who braved the bad weather to help plant the tree, especially the children from The Rofft School who worked so hard to put together a time capsule as part of this project.

“The tree is a wonderful addition to Maes y Pant and I was pleased to play a part in ensuring Wrexham was chosen as one of the communities which marked the airport’s 80th birthday celebrations.”

Lesley Griffiths AM added: “Manchester Airport were keen to celebrate their regional roots and I am pleased Maes y Pant and the Wrexham community has benefited from their 80^th anniversary celebrations.”

“The children from the Rofft School did an excellent job preparing a time capsule for the event.  In recent years, Maes y Pant has been transformed into a vibrant space the whole community can enjoy thanks to the hard work of local volunteers and I have no doubt the newly-planted oak tree will be a welcome and lasting addition to the area.”

Tricia Williams, chief operating officer at Manchester Airport, said: “As part of Manchester Airport’s 80th birthday celebrations, 80 oak trees are being planted across the airport’s catchment area which spans from North Wales up to Scotland, and we are delighted to have one in Maes y Pant, Wrexham.

“It is really fitting that oak symbolises 80 years, as we are really proud of our regional roots, at the same time as helping the North of England branch out around the world.”