A COMMUNITY group received a unique present to acknowledge the work it is doing in South Reading.
The Whitley Community Development Association (WCDA) received a visit from HM Lord-Lieutenant of the Royal County of Berkshire, James Puxley, who helped plant a tree as part of The Queen’s Green Canopy.
The Platinum Jubilee campaign has seen ‘special gift’ trees planted at charities, schools, councils and scout groups to increase native tree cover and protect the environment.
King Charles III became the patron of the initiative following the Queen’s passing in September.
Mr Puxley said: “It was a great privilege to come here, it’s brilliant. I’m pleased they’re able to plant a tree which is great for the environment.
“The current King is a really caring man. I’m very pro the way the King has gone about his work, I think he’s a thoroughly decent person and devoted to the country.”
Around 30 people were present to witness the ceremony, including the Mayor of Reading, Cllr Rachel Eden, and Church ward councillor Andrew Hornsby-Smith.
Cllr Eden said: “It’s absolutely wonderful. It’s a real honour for Whitley to have been chosen to be one of the places these trees have been given to. It’s a tribute to all the residents of Whitley and the work of the WCDA. I hope it will bring much pleasure to everyone in the area as we walk past it.
“I’ve been a councillor for Whitley for 12 years, it’s a really special community and I think the fact the Lord-Lieutenant has chosen it reflects the strength of the community and why it’s such a special place.”
After the planting ceremony a plaque was presented to commemorate the tree. The Lord-Lieutenant was then taken on a tour around the WCDA’s facilities and was full of praise for its food surplus, community cafe, Well-being Wednesdays initiative and work with CommuniCare.
Trisha Bennett, the WCDA’s community development coordinator, said: “This is a great memorial to the late Queen and we’re really honoured to be chosen as one of the 350 [places] to receive such an honour. A lot of trees were planted, but we got one that was a landmark outside Buckingham Palace.
“We do what we do because we care about our community. We want to make a real difference for people. People in this community can make a difference for themselves.
“In communities like this, there’s a real risk of patronising people because they’re less affluent, but actually they’re human-beings and people have had more chances than others in all sorts of ways. That’s what makes the jigsaw so rich really.”
