A CIRCLE of five trees will stand proudly atop Mouldon Hill to mark the 50 years since the formation of one of Swindon’s best loved choirs.

The Kentwood Choir have donated  thousands of pounds to the Rotary Club of Swindon, and last year the popular ensemble celebrated its 50th birthday.

To mark the occasion and to say thank you for the choir’s support over the years, the Rotary Club has arranged for the circle of oak trees – which will become known as Kentwood Oak – to be planted at the north Swindon park.

Nigel Henham, chairman of the Rotary Club of Swindon, said: “Sheila Harrod and the Kentwood Choir celebrated their 50th anniversary last year and they have been a great support to the Rotary Club of Swindon and our charities for many years.

“So in recognition of that and the fact they have been in the town for 50 years we thought it would be a good idea to do something to acknowledge that.

“We got in touch with Swindon Borough Council to ask them whether they would help.

“We came up with the idea of planting some trees and we thought it would be nice to have a circle of trees.

“The leader of the council, David Renard, agreed to it and they said we could plant the circle of trees at Mouldon Hill.

“They are going to be oak trees, just saplings, and we hope they will grow and develop a bit like the way the choir has grown over the years.

“In the next six to eight weeks we’re hoping to have a date where we will go and plant the saplings.”

Sheila Harrod, who founded the choir, said she was overwhelmed by the gestures.

She said: “When they announced it I didn’t quite burst into tears but I definitely had a tear in my eye.

“And when I told the choir they gasped and they were so joyful and touched by the gesture.

“I just think it’s a wonderful idea and when they told me I just thought how wonderful it is for the choir and for the girls and what a legacy.”

The idea was kept a secret from Sheila until she was asked to come to a lunch, when the Rotary Club announced the surprise.

She said: “When I went along the mayor and the leader of the council were there and I just thought it was going to be something to do with the council. But then Nigel stood up and said that they had a surprise for me. I think it was all Nigel’s brainchild.”