Lord Mayor Comment

THE Queen celebrates her Platinum Jubilee – her 70th year on the throne – next year. To mark the occasion, Swansea has been selected as one of 13 cities around the UK as a Queen’s Green Canopy city. It’s in recognition of the work that’s been done to plant trees around the city and make Swansea a greener place to be. To celebrate the announcement, I am visiting schools across the city this week as they plant trees to mark the Jubilee.

On Monday I headed off to Ysgol Pen y Bryn in Penlan, then yesterday there were tree-planting ceremonies at Waunarlwydd Primary and Newton Primary. Today I will be joining schoolchildren at Penyrheol Primary and Bishopston Primary for further tree-planting. Tomorrow it is off to Pontlliw Primary and Brynhyfryd primary schools for their ceremonial tree-planting. Then, finally, on Friday tree-planting at Trallwn Primary and Coed Bach Park in Pontarddulais, where

I will also be opening a new nature trail.

While I am on ceremonial gardening duty, the Deputy Lord Mayor will represent me today, firstly at the Brangwyn Hall for the charity Action for Elders’ Christmas Party – a wonderful event that will help around 200 older people facing loneliness and isolation meet others and socialise.

Then later today, the Deputy Lord Mayor will represent me at the Investiture of First Squirrel Scouts in Wales – a new provision for four and five-year-olds. On Friday, following a short visit to the Leonard Cheshire Social Bean Drop-in at St Mary’s Square in the city centre, I will be at the Brangwyn Hall myself as the Institute of Engineering and Technology present their presidential lecture and dinner.

Sir Julian Young, one of the UK’S most distinguished military engineers will be sharing his thoughts on how the engineering profession can make a positive impact on the next generation.