These ornamental trees bearing memorial plaques will flourish in remembrance of all those who have sadly died during the last year, and in honour of the local people who have worked tirelessly in aid of the coronavirus pandemic response.
St Helens Borough will also join the nation on this day of reflection by backing charity Marie Curie’s plan for a minute’s silence at noon and a doorstep vigil at 8pm, with residents encouraged to stand at their doors with a light – a candle, a torch, even your phone – to remember someone who has died and show your support to people going through a bereavement.
Supporting the vigil, prominent buildings and landmarks will also be illuminated yellow across the UK, including the Steve Prescott Bridge and St Helens Town Hall.
The council is also promoting its online book of condolence, where people can post photos, poems or simply share their thoughts or prayers about lost loved ones.
Councillor David Baines, Leader of St Helens Borough Council said: “This has been an incredibly difficult year for all of us, but especially all those who have lost loved ones and who have not been able to pay tribute to them in the way they would have wanted. Our thoughts go out to these families.
To mark the one-year anniversary of the first coronavirus lockdown we will remember those who have sadly lost their lives by joining in the national day of reflection and lighting local landmarks as a beacon of remembrance. We have also planted 18 beautiful cherry trees in every ward across the borough and in St Helens and Newton-le-Willows cemeteries as a lasting memorial.
We are also planning to honour our local NHS heroes by proposing at the Council meeting on Wednesday 14 April to bestow our highest honour – the Freedom of the Borough – on St Helens & Knowsley Hospital Trust, for all that they have done up to this moment and will do in the weeks and months ahead in the fight against Covid-19.
As the fight against Covid continues we want to express our heartfelt thanks to keyworkers and essential services who have kept the country moving through the lockdowns, and to residents and businesses for enduring all the sacrifices and hardships of this year.
Finally, I ask that you join us with your neighbours at noon on Tuesday 23 March to observe a minute’s silence and, if you feel able to, a doorstep vigil at 8pm the same day, to honour those we’ve lost and to reflect on the challenges that we have all overcome together.”
The full list of cherry tree locations is as follows:
- St Helens Cemetery
- Newton-le-Willows Cemetery
- Billinge & Seneley Green – Bankes Park
- Blackbrook – Sankey Valley, near pond area
- Bold – King George V playing fields, Sutton Manor
- Earlestown – Wharf Road, Sankey Valley
- Eccleston – Broadway/Springfield Lane
- Haydock – King George V playing fields
- Moss Bank – Kentmere Park
- Newton-le-Willows – Mesnes Park
- Parr – Gaskell Park
- Rainford – Spinney Park, Old Hall Estate
- Rainhill – Warrington Road
- St Helens Town Centre – Fosters Park
- Sutton – Sutton Park
- Thatto Heath – Sherdley Park
- West Park – Taylor Park
- Windle – Victoria Park