Windrush elders plant commemorative woodland grove

A new woodland grove has been planted in Neath to commemorate 75 years since HMT Empire Windrush docked in England on 22 June 1948, and the significant contributions that the Windrush generation and their descendants have made to life here in Wales.

The creation of the Windrush Grove was facilitated by Coed Cadw, the Woodland Trust in Wales, and forms part of Brynau, the largest woodland creation project ever to be undertaken by the charity in Wales.

To celebrate, Windrush Elders were invited to a special event at Brynau. It was an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of the Windrush generation, and to help with putting the first few trees into the ground to form the new Windrush Grove.

With the help of some live music, good food and plenty of Welsh sunshine, the event was coordinated with the help of Race Council Cymru and was also attended by His Majesty's Lord Lieutenant of West Glamorgan, Mrs Louise Fleet.

Natalie Buttriss, Director at Coed Cadw said:

'Part of the process of creating a woodland is involving the community – and at its heart, that’s what this event was all about. We had previously met with Professor Uzo from Race Council Cymru, and through those conversations, decided that we really wanted to do something to commemorate the contributions of the Windrush generation here in Wales, by inviting them to Brynau and dedicating this grove'.

Professor Uzo Iwobi, Founder and CEO at Race Council Cymru, said:

'It is such an honour to be connected to the Woodland Trust in Wales, and to have helped facilitate the creation of this Windrush Grove. Every single one of our elders had the chance to get involved with the planting – all whilst knowing that they are going to be remembered, their legacy has not been in vain, and that forever, they can bring their families and friends to these woodlands'.

Of the event, Yvonne Howard-Bunt said:

'It has been absolutely marvellous - something magical and powerful, and now people know about the contributions of so many, in so many ways. I have been dancing since I got here!'

Natalie added:

'There remains a lack of visibility of ethnic minority stories and representation in the countryside and nature sectors here in Wales, and that has to change. We were honoured to host the Windrush elders and their families at Brynau and in some cases, give them the opportunity to plant a tree for the very first time in their lives - and we are so looking forward to welcoming them and their families back here for years to come'.

Notes to editors

About Brynau

Brynau, meaning 'many hills' in Welsh, is 235 acres of wildlife-friendly space in the industrial heartland of Wales. Historically used for agriculture, Brynau is now safeguarded to allow wildlife to thrive amongst a mosaic of habitat, including a pocket of ancient wood, a new native woodland and open wood pasture. The landscape is grazed by a small herd of Welsh White Cattle and boasts panoramic views across the Brecon Beacons and Swansea Bay.

Find out more in this short film, or visit our Brynau webpage.

About Coed Cadw, the Woodland Trust in Wales

The Woodland Trust (Coed Cadw) is the largest woodland conservation charity in the UK. It has over 500,000 supporters. It wants to see a UK rich in native woods and trees for people and wildlife. The Trust has three key aims:

1. protect ancient woodland, which is rare, unique and irreplaceable
2. restore damaged ancient woodland, bringing precious pieces of our natural history back to life
3. plant native trees and woods with the aim of creating resilient landscapes for people and wildlife.

Established in 1972, the Woodland Trust now has over 1,200 sites in its care covering approximately 29,000 hectares. These include over 100 sites in Wales, with a total area of 2,897 hectares (7,155 acres).

Access to its woods is free, so everyone can benefit from woods and trees. The Trust’s Welsh language name, 'Coed Cadw', is an old Welsh term, used in medieval laws to describe protected or preserved woodland.