Leckhampton Commemorative Presentation Spade, 1902

This is a large and hefty spade that was presented in 1902 to commemorate the planting of an oak tree in celebration of Edward VII's coronation. The spade is in fantastic condition and would make a good research item and talking point. The inscription reads: "Presented to Mrs G.B.Witts on her planting Coronation Oak Leckhampton August 9th 1902". Leckhampton is near Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.

Also shown are two photos taken from the Cheltenham Chronicle of Saturday August 16th 1902. One of the photos shows the actual ceremony of planting the oak by Mrs Witts. The man to the left and shown in the other photo is her husband - George Backhouse Witts. He was a noted local author and penned "Witts' Handbook of Gloucestershire" and was famed for his intervention as town magistrate during the Leckampton Riots of 1906.