IT was a moment of celebration as a silver birch tree was planted in Jubilee Gardens, Cannington, to commemorate the recent retirement of The Reverend Prebendary Peter Martin.

The tree was planted on behalf of the village residents as Peter, who was Rector of the Cannington Benefice, has served the community for 27 years.

A small group of residents, together with chairman of the Sedgemoor District Council, Ian Dyer, members of the Parish Council and representatives from the local Parish Church were present.

Fr. Peter Martin, assisted by Colin Allen, chairman of the Parish Council, and the head boy and head girl from the Cannington Primary School, planted the tree on behalf of the village.

Fr. Martin was chairman of governors at the primary school prior to his retirement.