Swindon volunteers and key workers honoured with special royal tree planting

Swindon's key workers and volunteers who helped out during the pandemic have had two tree planted at Coate Water in honour of their life-saving efforts - including a tree from the Buckingham Palace Jubilee sculpture.

Two trees have been planted at Coate Water Country Park to thank and honour Swindon's key workers and volunteers who came together to help the town through the covid-19 vaccination effort. 

Steve Maddern, Director of Public Health for Swindon, opened the ceremony officially with a speech. 

He said: "This tree, sponsored by Swindon Borough Council, is for all the key workers and volunteers that helped Swindon through the pandemic. The Queen’s Canopy Tree acknowledges the dedication and hard work of volunteers who supported the covid-19 vaccination efforts. I am delighted to open the ceremony and welcome all that are here this morning.

“The word volunteer has a latin origin which means ‘to be willing’. Swindon has a strong history in supporting communities using voluntary efforts and we know that being a volunteer is one of life’s most valuable resources.

"Since the first case of covid in March 2020, Swindon has seen over 75,000 cases of covid and unfortunately has lost over 450 Swindon residents. The town’s response from key workers and volunteers has been phenomenal and essential to protect the lives of those most vulnerable in our communities.

“We have administered over 194,000 vaccinations to Swindon residents. This has been a combined effort of clinical, administrative and a range of organisations and supported by numerous volunteers.

“The planting of these trees represents all the work undertaken during the pandemic, for every key worker in the NHS, in the local authority, and every organisation in between, and for every volunteer that has helped to protect Swindon residents by providing services and support, and assurance – particularly to those most in need.

“I wish to say a sincere thank you for all you have done and all you continue to do. We know these trees will represent a wide range of efforts and organisations across Swindon, to help people feel connected, safe, cared for, and not alone. These trees represent all of you, regardless if you have volunteered or worked for years, months, days or hours. On behalf of Swindon, a heartfelt thank you for all that you have done.”

Mr Maddern then read a short poem from an unknown author, entitled ‘Dedicated Hearts.’

Alongside Mr Maddern, other dignitaries present included Mayor of Swindon Cllr Abdul Amin, Swindon Council Leader Cllr David Renard and Sarah Troughton, the Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire. 

Cllr Amin also wished to pass along his thanks personally to all the key workers and volunteers present at the ceremony. 

He added: “Thank you to all the volunteers and key workers, and the Coate Water team, who have come out to see the tree planting – especially in this rainy weather.

“I want to say a massive thank you to all those who volunteered, and to all of our emergency service and key workers who have worked through the pandemic. Many of them have worked in response to saving people’s lives and they have given up their lives and their time.

“We are planting this tree at this popular park location, and hopefully it will stay here for our communities to enjoy for a long time in the future.”

The four dignitaries all took turns to help plant the first tree - a Tulip Tree - which can be found outside the Ranger's Centre at Coate Water. 

Cllr Renard said: "I’ll start by thanking Steve for all what he has done throughout the pandemic. I’m sure you’re all aware that he was the face of the pandemic if that is a good phrase to use! He did a wonderful job on a daily basis keeping everybody in the borough informed – including councillors – and getting the message out there in terms of what we needed to do.

“It’s great to see all the key workers and volunteers here at this tree planting. Thank you for everything you did during that period and of course for everything you do still. It’s also great to see councillors here, because as a council, we’ve been very keen to support the key workers all the way through, since the time the pandemic started.

“We’re here because the council passed this motion for the tree planting. We wanted to do something tangible to say thank you to all the key workers and volunteers that helped to get us through. We’ve got this tree here which we are dedicating to all these individuals, and we also have the Queen’s Green Canopy Tree.

“This location – next to the Ranger’s Centre – has been specifically chosen as this Tulip Tree can be difficult to grow and nurture. The rangers will be able to keep an eye on it here, and ensure it can thrive here at Coate Water.”

Cllr Renard also took the time to thank Pam Webb, CEO of Voluntary Action Swindon, for all her work she has done with the town's voluntary sector. 

Pam Webb responded: "I am so delighted to be at this ceremony to represent the fantastic work of Swindon’s voluntary sector, on behalf of all the volunteers during the pandemic, and to date.”

After the Tulip Tree planting was finished and the plaque unveiled, the ceremony's attendees were guided towards a green space that can be found just upon driving into the Park's entrance. 

A star shaped flower bed could be found with a hole dug out specially for the tree from the Queen's Green Canopy's Tree of Trees sculpture that was unveiled during the late Queen's Jubilee celebrations. 

Sarah Troughton said a few words before starting the planting process off. 

She said: “This Alder Tree will thrive at Coate Water and the plant pot has the late Queen’s cipher on it. The tree will be removed and planted, and the special pot will be kept at the Civic Offices.

“This tree represents the Queen’s Green Canopy Initiative, her Platinum Jubilee, and everything else to do with her reign really. It was part of a huge sculpture that was placed outside Buckingham Palace, designed by Thomas Heatherwick.

“Wiltshire was given three trees. As well as this one here in Swindon, a tree has been delivered to the John of Gaunt School in Trowbridge, and the other to the Harnham Water Meadows in Salisbury.

“The message of the Queen’s Green Canopy is one of hope and optimism, and I do think what we have chosen here – to celebrate key workers and volunteer efforts for delivering the covid-19 vaccine – is fitting.”

Following Sarah's speech, GWH's Chief Executive Kevin McNamara - also in attendance - delivered a short speech honouring the doctors that the hospital lost during the pandemic, and passed along his thanks to the NHS key workers and volunteers.