A TREE which formed part of a sculpture outside Buckingham Palace during the Queen's Platinum Jubilee now has a new home in Swindon.
The Queen’s Canopy of Trees sculpture by Thomas Heatherwick had 350 small trees supported by a steel structure built outside the royal residence.
The trees were illuminated as part of a chain of 1,500 beacons that lit up across the UK to mark 70 years of Queen Elizabeth II's reign in June.
Since then, each tree has been placed in a special pot embossed with Her Late Majesty’s cypher and then gifted to organisations around the UK.
Swindon received one as a way of thanking the 690 volunteers who work tirelessly at the STEAM Museum to support the Covid-19 vaccination programme.
Dignitaries including Mayor of Swindon Abdul Amin, Swindon Borough Council leader David Renard, and Lord-Lieutenant of Wiltshire Sarah Troughton attended a ceremony at Coate Water today which marked the planting of the tree.
The local authority planted a separate tulip tree in tribute to honour the selflessness and dedication shown by key workers and volunteers throughout the pandemic.
Coun Amin said: “It is a huge honour for Swindon to be selected as one of the lucky organisations to receive a tree.
"I would like to say thank you to the volunteers at STEAM for all their hard work in rolling out the vaccine and helping to keep people safe.
“The new tree will be a fitting tribute to the life of Her Late Majesty alongside the huge flower bed that has also been planted at Coate Water by our grounds team.”
Coun Renard added: “It was a privilege to be at the tree planting ceremony as we honoured both Her Late Majesty and the unstinting dedication of all our volunteers and key workers, who continue to do such a great job serving our community.
“We will be forever grateful for the role they played throughout the pandemic, which was why councillors unanimously agreed to create a lasting tribute to mark their service.”
Mrs Troughton said: “I was delighted to plant the handsome Alnus glutinosa at the very enjoyable ceremony.
“I know that it will thrive and be a constant reminder of Her Late Majesty's Platinum Jubilee.
"I am so pleased that it also honours the many volunteers who have helped with the vaccination programmes and the very real trials of the Covid pandemic.”
The Queen’s Green Canopy invites members of the public to plant a tree in honour of Her Late Majesty The Queen. Visit queensgreencanopy.org
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