Tree planted in memory of Rathangan's Gordon Birch

Elizabeth Birch is joined by family and friends as she plants a tree in memory of her husband

placeholder image — Elizabeth Birch is joined by family and friends as she plants a tree in memory of her husband

A special tree planting ceremony took place at the Old School House in Rathangan on Friday, November 3 in memory of Gordon Birch.

Present at the tree planting were his wife, Elizabeth Birch; daughters, Nicola Birch and Jackie Challoner; son-in-law, Danny Challoner, and friends Irene Crampton, Rosemary Roberts, Jean Wynne, Pamela Burrell, Arthur Hutchison and Bo the greyhound.

Mr Birch, who passed away in May 2022, was responsible for securing funding to restore the Old School House and out building.

The facility is used as a community center with different activities such as yoga, weightless wonders classes and other events taking place on a regular basis. There is also an annual fashion show, and Summer and Christmas fayres. The Old School House also hosts a shop with crafts and other items.

For many years, the outside space was completely overgrown but with allot of hard work, it’s now a mature walled garden maintained by Arthur Hutchison and some of the parishioners. The Tús workers also helped bring it back to life in 2014/2015.

Plants were also donated by Leo Conway, Leo Hamilton, Rosemary Roberts and other parishioners.

“All in all, the old school house and garden are a great asset for the community,” said Arthur.