Queen Elizabeth Circle Recreation Ground Planting

Where is it?

The QE Circle Recreation Area lies south-west of Tythrop Way – opposite the skatepark.

Overall project

On 23 November 2022, 16 trees were planted on a little-used area of this area, along with 35 yards of double hedging in front of the rear of the adjacent garage block.

The trees, planted in groups of 3, 5 and 7, will in time provide a wonderful, linked copse with a fine walkthrough from Roundhead Drive to the children’s play area. These trees will support the reinvigoration nature in the area, and capture some of the carbon being pumped out by our homes, factories, offices and vehicles.  They will also provide shady canopies in the summer, gorgeous colours in the Autumn and give refuge to songbirds, and generally make us feel better.

Thanks are due to Hazel Boundy who had the initial idea, the local residents who contributed their ideas, Charles Boundy and Colin Bloxham of Thame Green Living who took it forward, Thame Town Council for supporting it, South Oxfordshire District Council for funding it (especial thanks to Pieter-Paul Barker for facilitating this), John Morris for guidance, Sue Martin-Downhill and Thame Trees for organising planting party and John Singer of Rotary Phoenix and all the enthusiastic planting party from CPM and Richardsons Accountants of Thame who turned out and got stuck in. Thanks also to Helpful Hirings for the loan of the turf-cutter and JB Tree Services for the supply and delivery of the mulch.

The trees were listed as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy along with the others planted recently at The Triangle opposite and on Hamilton Road.

In 2024 additional trees were planted in winter, following requests from residents to add trees in to provide shade in the play areas for hot summers. These are being monitored to ensure that they provide the right shade and that their leaf drop doesn’t cause issues.

Further planting and landscaping in this area

There are plans to now explore additional planting in this area, along with planning for maintenance and thickening of the hedges that were previously planted. Get involved by connecting with Thame Trees.