THREE hundred and fifty years after the Coldstream Guards were founded by a Merton man, an oak tree will be planted at the local primary school to mark the anniversary.

The Clinton School at Merton has built up a close link with the Coldstream Guards over the last 60 years, a regiment founded by General Sir George Monck who was born at Great Potheridge in 1608.

On February 16, the 28th Colonel of the Coldstream Guards, General Sir Michael Rose, who also commanded the United Nations Protection Force in Bosnia Hercegovina in 1994/95, will plant a commemorative tree at the entrance to the school to mark the 350th anniversary.

The school has been involved in special Coldstream projects, prizes and concerts over the years.

Representatives of the Coldstream Association and from the regiment in London have visited the school to tell the children and friends more about its history.

The tree will be incorporated into the school's environmental and sustainability project, which has involved the planting of somewhere in the region of 400 trees.

The school has been able to put a master plan into action thanks to the assistance of educational landscape artist Michael Littlewood and local firms and organisations who have contributed materials and labour.

The first stage of the project is to turn a barren playing field into an outdoor classroom — an environment where the children can learn with nature and where minds can be challenged and stimulated.

Wildlife will be encouraged into the grounds with the nest boxes and dense vegetation.

A pool has been dug and plans are in hand to use water from the school roof to fill it. It is also hoped to store rainwater for flushing toilets.

The school's environmental awareness has been recognised and it feels very honoured to have been approved by the Solar Programme to erect a solar panel canopy with its own computer and monitor as part of a nationwide strategy.

The only stipulation is that the school must raise 40 per cent of the total cost of £4,500. Anyone who can help with donations should call 01805 603357.