In December, 2005, members of Oakley Holidays were invited by the Headmaster of Bilton Grange, Peter Kirk, to attend the ceremonial planting of a special tree donated by Oakley Holidays.

The gift to the school commemorated the 80th anniversary of the first Oakley holiday held at the school in 1924. Lauren Elmer, David Gauld, Laura Bury, Megan Foy, Lewis Kent, Russel Bailey and Julian Wilde represented the 150 present members of Oakley Holidays and all previous members at the ceremony.

Peter Kirk, David Phillips (the school bursar), Mick Turner (groundsman) and Lee Cloke (estates manager) were all in attendance too.

The tree planted was an evergreen ‘Monkey Puzzle’. When the mansion at Bilton Grange was built in 1846 – it was to become a school 30 years later - it is likely that the present row of these trees, alongside the pathway on the southern side of the house, was planted.

160 years later these slow-growing trees are now around 100 feet high, but 2 have had to be felled recently because of disease. The new Oakley tree is the first in the row and is around 5 feet high.

After the planting and lunch in the school dining room Lewis, Russel and Julian were entertained to coffee by Peter and Rosemary Kirk whilst Laura, Megan, David and Lauren were given a guided tour of the school by the Head Girl, Becky, and Head Boy, Christian, which hosts and guests greatly enjoyed.

Our thanks are due to Peter Kirk and everyone at Bilton Grange for making the Oakley guests so welcome on a very worthwhile occasion.