An e-bike named Leonora has placed Ynyshir art gallery, studio and workspace, The Workers in the frame for a prestigious national award at the UK Green Growth Awards.
The small but fierce venue, which exhibits, creates, sells and promotes some of the best Welsh creative work, was placed in the finals by judges who were impressed by its approach to driving business growth through sustainability. The Workers is now in with a chance to secure the UK award and a £5,000 grant to help further sustainability.
The UK’s 5.5 million small businesses represent half of the UK’s business emissions, leading to the Green Growth Awards being launched this year, in partnership with B.T, to recognise businesses such as The Workers for their commitment to sustainability and innovation to thrive while doing so.
The Workers impressed judges with initiatives including the purchase of a cargo e-bike, used by owner Dr Gayle Rogers to deliver to customers who have purchased the stunning items for sale from the Ynyshir Road gallery – no mean feat when you consider the steep terrain around the Rhondda!
The bike, named Leonora after the Suffragette who was Emmeline Pankhurst’s bodyguard, is also used in The Workers’ Gallery home visits, bringing exhibitions to homes, charities, schools, community or creative venues and delivering books.
Dr Gayle Rogers founded The Workers in 2014 and has developed the venue into an essential meeting place of creative minds. As well as exhibitions showcasing art, photography and ceramics, the gallery has a permanent “Artists and Designers of Wales” exhibition.
It also has a book club, free community book shop, a food bank collection point, free exhibition and gallery space, resident artists and creatives and leads workshops for schools and community groups.
Cllr Mark Norris, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Prosperity and Development, said: “Good luck to The Workers for the Green Growth Awards on March 11 – we wish them all the best and are so proud they are flying the flag for Rhondda Cynon Taf.
“The Workers describe themselves as ‘small, but fierce’ and the introduction of the cargo e-bike is certainly an innovative – and sustainable – way to bring the gallery’s amazing work and services to the community, inspiring creativity and conversation and helping to reach out to those who may be isolated or unable to access our incredible art and culture.
“It is particularly pleasing The Workers is also shining a light on how innovative small businesses can be. We have a number of them in Rhondda Cynon Taf and Dr Rogers and her team are a strong example of what can be achieved.”
Dr Rogers said: “My focus is sharing work that has a resonance for local people – to inspire reminiscence and story-telling. The exhibition community visits are a way to help tackle isolation and enable those living in the community to experience what is going on around them in a safe and familiar environment.
“I visit nursing homes, warm banks and those who are housebound with artworks and photographs, alongside books and catalogues relating to exhibitions. I talk through the work and offer activities like drawing or collage to help people respond in their own creative way.
“My eco-transport approach has expanded the gallery exhibitions’ reach into the community and I want to develop that further. The cargo e-bike was a game-changer for my business. As someone in my late fifties, I wanted to show people what is possible with an e bike for a micro business like mine and that age is not a barrier to cycling for work.
“On occasions, there has been as much interest in my bike as there has been in the art and books I am delivering, inspiring conversations about sustainability, cycling and exercise being good for mental health and travel.”
Resident Richard Morgan receives his orders via delivery. He said: “We live at the top of a big hill – It is Wales! But that doesn’t stop Gayle and the electric cargo bike making our delivery each month.”
Don’t miss an experience at The Workers. Find out more, see what’s on and get involved via www.workersgallery.co.uk or find them on YouTube, BlueSky, LinkedIn and Instagram.
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Posted on 11/03/2025