A CONGREGATION received a royal seal of approval with a letter of thanks from the Queen.

As reported in the Echo, a green fingered team from All Saints Church, Wyke Regis, planted a yew tree in the churchyard to commemorate the Queen’s 90th birthday last year.

The 1000-year-old Eastling Yew sapling was planted as part of the church’s ongoing Living Churchyard Trust project for which the church was granted a national award for enhancing the ecology of its grounds.

Following the blessing of the Yew tree, project coordinator Daphne Pont wrote to Buckingham Palace to inform the monarch of the activities the Wyke team.

The reply from the palace reads: “Her Majesty thought it so kind of you to write to her, and the Queen was interested to learn about the Yew sapling which was planted. Her Majesty was also pleased to read of the silver certificate that has be granted by the Living Churchyard Trust.

“The Queen was glad to hear that you and your fellow parishioners enjoyed all the celebrations for her milestone birthday, and Her Majesty sends you her good wishes for the year ahead.”

Over the past four years, a team of gardeners and volunteers from All Saints have worked hard to provide friendly eco-systems for birds, reptiles, and bats, as well as planting a herb garden and wildflower area.