Tree Planting in honour of Sir Robert Edwards 22nd September 2012



Jenny Joy and I, in front of the tree planted in her father's honour 



Batley History Group today, honoured one of Batley’s brightest sons, Sir Robert Edwards, by planting a tree in celebration of his outstanding achievements.

Sir Robert was born in Batley and spent his early years living in what is now Wilton Estate. It was only fairly recently that the history group found out that Sir Robert, one of the pioneering scientists along with Patrick Steptoe, who developed in-vitro fertilisation, had a Batley connection.

It was lovely to see one of Sir Robert’s daughters, Jenny Joy, representing her father and speaking about her father’s life as an academic in Cambridge and of his memories of Batley.

I was particularly pleased to be at the tree planting, along with the Mayor and our MP yet again. Sir Robert lived in what is now Wilton Estate, whose residents are my constituents; as a member of Friends of Wilton Park, I am very pleased that the tree is being planted in the park, near the museum, in the centenary year. Finally, I have a grandson who is a miracle baby conceived by IVF so I really appreciate the achievements of the great man.

The tree is a column copper beech, ideally situated, and though the Mayor joked that it would in years to come, take the tiles off the museum roof, we need not worry. The tree was chosen by our Parks and Open Spaces experts to ensure it was suited to its location and will not damage any part of the museum. Sir Robert’s daughter Jenny agreed, it was a fitting tribute to the great man.