Worcester Lions Ginkgo Biloba Tree 

Members of Worcester Lions Club have planted a Ginkgo Biloba tree in the grounds of St Richard’s Hospice.

Members of the club and St Richard’s staff gathered at the hospice to celebrate the planting of the tree and Worcester Lions Club President, June Lloyd-Adams presented a cheque for £500 to the hospice.

The Ginkgo tree has been declared the “millennium tree” and this year was adopted by the Lions Clubs International President, Eberhard J Wirfs, as a symbol of hope.

The Ginkgo Biloba has a long history – dating back some 280 million years. It is very resilient with an average life span of 1,000 years and is unique in that it has both male and female variety in the same plant. The Ginkgo tree is a symbol of hope and love and a monument to peace and environmental protection.

During a visit to their twinning club in Orleans, France, the Worcester Lions Club was presented with a Gingko Biloba tree by the Lions Club of Frankfurt as a gesture of friendship and in the spirit of Lionism.

Worcester Lions Club has been twinned with the Lions Club of Orleans Doyen since 1972 and the stone that is set at the base of the Ginkgo, local to Orleans, commemorates this long and strong friendship.

Lion President June said, “I can think of no better place to plant this beautiful tree than here at St Richard’s Hospice and I hope that it will enhance the garden for a 1,000 years. The gift from Orleans signifies a long and steadfast friendship between our two clubs”