FROM small acorns mighty oaks grow but at one school the trees are more than just a symbol of strength and power.

Each of the 59 oak trees at Wolsingham School in Weardale is dedicated to a pupil who died while serving their country.

Believed to be Britain’s oldest war memorial, they are a poignant reminder of the human cost of war, with the first 12 saplings planted by headteacher Joseph Backhouse in March 1918. By the time the First World War ended, that November, six more saplings had been planted.

To mark the centenary of the first dedications, the school is inviting the community to join staff and pupils for a special commemorative service on Tuesday, March 27, at 10.30am.

Poems written by pupils will be read out and a hornbeam tree, awarded as a prize for a Great War themed poetry competition, will be planted. Frank Bonner, of the Scots Guard, will perform on the bagpipes, and pupils will lay crosses in front of each tree - a tradition enacted every November on Remembrance Day.

Jill Rodgers, former head of languages and a member of the Royal British Legion, said: “What is interesting about the trees is that the first 12 were planted in March 2018 when the war was still being fought. The headteacher clearly felt he had to do something to pay tribute to his pupils who had fallen.

“The trees are a living tribute and have continued to grow unlike the boys they represent. It is so important we remember them and that pupils learn about the sacrifices they made.”

Sixth form student Anthony Eavis was given the honour of placing a cross on a tree when he was in year seven.

He said: “The trees are really important not just for the school but for the dale because they represent people that used to come here and show that we were a part of the war.”

The school’s heritage has always been taught to pupils but this year youngsters will embark on a major project to discover more about the soldiers.

“We hope this will be a year of research and discovery,” said acting headteacher Kate Morris. “Pupils will work with Durham Records Office and local historians to find out about the lives of the students the trees represent.”