As part of this year’s Cornwall Pride, our fantastic Countryside Rangers have created a new wooden sign for the pride tree in Victoria Gardens and have invited people to decorate and hang medallions on the tree to celebrate the different identifies that can be found within the LGBTQIA+ community.
The project is being led by Assistant Countryside Ranger Anna Cormie who came up with the idea of creating medallions with a pride flag on one side and a description explaining the importance of the symbol last year.
“I wanted to create a safe place where people could come and learn more about the different identities that can be found within the LGBTQIA+ community and celebrate the diversity we have“ said Anna.
After experimenting with some initial designs, Anna worked with Barry Cooper, Head Gardener at Victoria Gardens, and Abi Steel, from Visit Truro, to identify a place to display the medallions.
“Barry suggested using the weeping beech tree in the gardens and it was agreed that the tree would host an all-year-round display of the medallions. “
After designing and erecting the new pride tree sign, together with a number of medallions with images celebrating different identities within the LGBTQIA+ community, last weekend Anna and her colleagues staged a special event at the tree where people could come along and decorate medallions to hang on the branches.
Also taking part in the event was Penguin Soup, a mental health charity. Part of Cornwall Pride, the charity works to reduce isolation and disenfranchisement, and increase access to mental health support and decrease risks of poor mental health within the LGBTQIA+ community.
“Penguin Soup will be creating a display of medallions decorated by the community, as well as helping us to care for the display” said Anna.
Maintained by Truro City Council, Victoria Gardens is rightly seen as one of the jewels in Truro’s crown. The pride tree, with its display of medallions, offers a very special place for people to come to learn more about the LGBTQIA+ community and celebrate its diversity.
