Gornal Townswomen’s Guild chose a sweet chestnut to commemorate the Platinum Jubilee as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy campaign which aims to plant thousands of trees across the country.

The council has planted other commemorative trees including one at Wordsley Park and Dudley’s Coronation Gardens and has plans to plant trees along the borough’s highways.

This is as well as increasing canopy coverage in six wards which have less coverage and has worked with friends groups and Severn Trent Water to create five Tiny Forests across the borough. The Mayor of Dudley, Councillor Anne Millward, said:

"It was a real pleasure to meet with Jill and other members of the Gornal Wood Townswomen’s Guild. I know that they do a lot locally and have a real drive to make Gornal Wood feel welcoming and encourage people to take pride in and serve their community.

"They turned out in force and it was just wonderful to be surrounded by so many enthusiastic women and to plant this mature tree for the benefit of visitors to Gornal Park."

The planting is among a host of tree planting events and other activities the council is organising to celebrate the jubilee. Other events a tea party on 25 May, the lighting of a beacon at Dudley Castle on June 2 and the waiving of fees for road closures for streets hosting street parties. T

To find out more about the borough’s jubilee activities visit the Mayor of Dudley website.