The massive impact the mighty oak has had on our cultural roots and national identity has been recognised in a nationwide poll – thanks in part to Woodland Trust supporters.
Earlier this year the Trust urged hundreds of thousands of members and supporters to nominate this stunning species in national on-line poll, Icons: A Portrait of England.
Now, website staff have confirmed the oak will be among the latest wave of diverse and prestigious suggestions that includes The Tower of London, the White Cliffs of Dover, Robin Hood, Sherlock Holmes and the Magna Carta.
Icons’ managing director Jerry Doyle says: “Icons has huge potential. Usually only huge sporting events like the World Cup or the Olympics generate this kind of passion. Choosing the things that most represent England has really got the nation’s creative juices going. People get very fired up and inspired. Judging by the debate on the site, everyone is very keen to argue for their nominations too. People love Icons because it is populist as well as posh.“
“Where else would you see nominations like Betty’s Tea Room in Harrogate, Blackpool trams and the stiff upper lip, jostling for position alongside Durham Cathedral, the Carry On films and the Tate Modern? We get lots of positive feedback from teachers, too, who say it provides a great spark for learning.”
The project was launched in January and has prompted more than 350,000 votes for the nation’s favourite icons and more than 500,000 site visits.
To visit the Icons’ website, simply log on to www.icons.org.uk
