'Replanting my mum's Christmas tree is her legacy'

A woman who gave her late mother's Christmas tree to a rewilding project says it is "very special" to hear it is thriving one year on.

It had belonged to Irene Chantry, who passed away on 26 December 2023 at the age of 89.

After her death, Lindsay Stonehouse donated the 12-inch rooted tree to Nigel and Alison Stollery for their project near Market Harborough in Leicestershire.

"It's a legacy from my mother," the 69-year-old said.

"It just seemed fitting that I tried somehow to keep it growing."

Ms Stonehouse, from Kibworth, said Ms Chantry's granddaughter sent her a Christmas tree every year after she moved into a care home.

Reflecting on the arrival of the final tree in December 2023, she said: "The staff immediately took it out of the packaging and unwrapped it, and put the lights and little decorations on.

"We kept it going 24 hours a day until she passed."

Ms Stonehouse said her mother had Parkinson's disease and was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2023.

"I cared for her the best I could at the end of her life, and I think planting this tree was the last thing I could do for her," she said.

It now forms part of Mr and Mrs Stollery's project to create a wildlife haven in a former wheat field.

"[They] contacted me this year with photos of the trees, still with their rabbit guards around them, and they're growing beautifully," Ms Stonehouse said.

Mr and Mrs Stollery said their retirement project was inspired by a "love" of the outdoors.

They have received donations of about 50 Christmas trees, although most of the field features non-festive saplings.

Mr Stollery, 60, said it was "so special and lovely" to receive trees gifted in memory of people's loved ones.

"We're leaving something which possibly could be here in 600 years' time," he said.

"It's nice to be in a lucky enough position to leave a legacy for the future."

Mrs Stollery, 59, said: "I'd love to get it to the point where a canopy has started to develop so it's not quite so bare, and make it interesting to look at with a few nice ponds and some landscaping by the river.

"It's a wonderful place to come and unwind. You can totally switch off from everything."

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