Royal ‘Tree of Trees’ gifted to the Dove Workshop in Banwen

On Thursday, October 27th, The Lord Lieutenant delivered an Alder tree which had been an original part of the Queen’s dramatic ‘Tree of Trees’ sculpture in Buckingham Palace, celebrating her Platinum Jubilee.

It was presented to the Dove Workshop to recognise its work with the local community, volunteers and partners.

The DOVE Workshop was the result of a concerted effort by a cross-section of women in the South Wales coalfields to ensure that the end of the 1984-85 miners’ strike did not mean an end to the mining communities themselves.

In September 1987, Glenys Kinnock opened the official DOVE premises in Banwen The DOVE Workshop and associated library has continued to grow over the years, introducing new and relevant courses as times have changed, and the Library has changed with it.

The donation of the Alder to Dove was part of the Queen’s Green Canopy project which has gifted the special commemorative trees from the ‘Tree of Trees’ to deserving recipients across the UK.

The event was attended by the Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council, Cllr Stephen Hunt and Cllr Sian Harris, Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Family Services, the Mayor of Neath Cllr Robert Wood and Neath MP Christina Rees.

Lord Lieutenant Mrs Fleet said: “This beautiful tree will become part of a living legacy in honour of Her Majesty, joining more than a million trees already planted across the UK as part of The Queen’s Green Canopy project.

“It was nurtured and gifted to the Dove Workshop in recognition of the excellent grass roots work those connected with Dove have done for the community over the years being a charity and social enterprise, a well used community hub in Banwen and surrounding areas which provides opportunities for adult learning and so much more.”

Cllr Hunt said: “Because of all its hard work for this and surrounding communities over the years, the Dove Workshop is a very worthy recipient of this precious gift.”