Seafarers organisation plants tree to commemorate Queen Elizabeth’s platinum jubilee
The Natal Mahogany tree was selected and was planted by David Warmback, the Honorary British Consul Durban.
The Durban Seafarers Mission (DSM) held a tree planting ceremony in commemoration of the platinum jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, at its centre in Bayhead recently.
The platinum jubilee 2022 is an acknowledgment of the 70th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s coronation.
Following the death of her father, King George VI, the now 96-year-old, became queen on February 6, 1952. The queen was aged 25 at the time.
Peter Cottrell, the chairperson of the DSM, said one of the queen’s requests was for her platinum jubilee to be commemorated by the planting of trees.
“Stemming from her request, the Mission to Seafarers had requested that seafarers’ centers around the world participate in this initiative.
“We saw it quite fitting to honour the queen’s request, however, not only to celebrate her platinum jubilee but to give thanks for the role that she, together with members of the royal family, have served in supporting the work of seafarers,” he said.
Cottrell said Queen Elizabeth II, and the royal family had strong links to the sea.
“The late Prince Phillip had a blooming career in the navy, and served as the president of the Mission to Seafarers between 1955 to 1958. Princess Anne is the current president of the Mission to Seafarers, and her majesty the queen is the patron,” he said.
Cottrell said the Natal Mahogany tree was selected and was planted by David Warmback, the Honorary British Consul Durban.
“We found that the tree we have chosen had an appropriate link with the sea, as ships were made of mahogany wood.
“We also chose to plant it alongside our outdoor chess set, which is one of the seafarers’ favourite locations at the centre. Over time, the tree will provide shade for seafarers who sit on the benches,” he said.
Cottrell added that the DSM centre, among other centres, played an important role in the lives of seafarers.
“A challenge that seafarers continue to face is access to shore leave, which means they spend long periods on board, which causes fatigue and mental distress. The impact worsened due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“However, when they are able to disembark, our centres provide them with a safe haven away from the ship, free Wi-Fi so they can communicate with their families back home, games and recreation, and the simple joy of feeling grass under their feet,” he said.
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