Wrexham’s volunteers celebrated with ‘The Tree of Trees’ planting

The work of volunteers in Wrexham has been commemorated with the planting of a special tree in the city centre.

Last summer, a giant sculpture made from over 350 saplings was installed outside Buckingham Palace as part of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations for Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Since then, the saplings have been sent to towns and cities all over the UK and dedicated to local groups who’ve contributed greatly to their communities.

Wrexham’s tree has been dedicated to the Association of Voluntary Organisations in Wrexham (AVOW), with a simple planting ceremony recently held on Llwyn Isaf.

Left to right: Planting the tree – the Lord Lieutenant of Clwyd, Harry Fetherstonhaugh OBE, and the Mayor of Wrexham Councillor Brian Cameron.

The ceremony was overseen by the Lord Lieutenant of Clwyd, Harry Fetherstonhaugh OBE, and attended by the Mayor of Wrexham Councillor Brian Cameron, and senior representatives from AVOW and Wrexham Council.

“The Tree of Trees sculpture provided a wonderful spectacle outside Buckingham Palace last summer,” explained The Lord Lieutenant.

“The saplings are now being planted up and down the country as a lasting legacy to the Platinum Jubilee and dedicated to local groups who’ve made an outstanding contribution to their communities.

“It’s a great honour for Wrexham to receive a sapling, and I hope it will grow and thrive in the coming years.”

Left to right: The Lord Lieutenant, Harvey the young blacksmith, the Mayor and Harvey’s grandfather Tony Roberts.

The Mayor of Wrexham said: “This tree is dedicated to AVOW in recognition of the incredible work they do in supporting voluntary groups across the county borough.

“Volunteers play a key role in our communities, but many would be lost without the support that AVOW provides. They do an incredible job and I hope that both the tree and the voluntary sector will continue to thrive in Wrexham.”

AVOW has been supporting voluntary groups since 1988 and played a key role during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Chief Officer Dawn Roberts-McCabe said: “It’s a wonderful honour to have this tree dedicated to AVOW and the local voluntary sector.

“Like the rest of the UK, Wrexham has faced some big challenges in recent years, including Covid-19 and the cost-of-living crisis.

“But our communities always pull together and volunteers play a huge part in that – they give their time, energy and compassion, and this tree is a wonderful way to recognise what they do.”

Left to right: The Lord Lieutenant, Tony Roberts, Harvey, Cllr Hugh Jones, Cllr Nigel Williams, Cllr David A Bithell, Leader of Wrexham Council Cllr Mark Pritchard, Wrexham Council Chief Executive Ian Bancroft, and the Mayor of Wrexham.

A plaque for the tree has been made by local business O & H Metal Designs, where young blacksmiths Ollie and Harvey work with their grandfather Tony Roberts.

The boys, who are in secondary school, took up the family tradition of blacksmithing during the pandemic, and made national headlines last year due to their young age and notable skills.

Councillor Mark Pritchard, Leader of Wrexham Council, said: “Volunteers are the lifeblood of our communities, and they do an incredible job.

“It’s a wonderful honour for Wrexham to receive a Tree of Trees from the Platinum Jubilee, and I’m delighted we’ve been able to dedicate it to AVOW.

“The fact that our two local young blacksmiths, Ollie and Harvey, are making the plaque is a lovely touch, and I hope the tree will grow tall and strong and be a lasting testament to the importance of volunteers in Wrexham.”