Memorial to remember lives lost to pandemic agreed on the Day of Reflection
Saltwell Park was the focus of Gateshead's Day of Reflection, marking five years since the first national lockdown.
Residents joined the Mayor of Gateshead, Councillor Kath McCartney, to remember those who died during the pandemic and to thank those who sacrificed so much to help others at the event held at the park.
The mayor planted a tree near the war memorial to mark the occasion, and activities at Saltwell Towers gave guests the opportunity to leave heartfelt messages of remembrance and gratitude, as well as paint pebbles and complete colouring sheets which showed the heroes on the frontline.
Songs were also performed by Savannah, a student from Gateshead College, and poems were read by elected members including the Deputy Leader of the council, Councillor Catherine Donovan, and Councillor Maria Hall, Cabinet Member for Communities, Volunteering and Localities.
The response to the council's Covid-19 memorial consultation coincided with the event, where it was confirmed by Councillor Hall that most respondents were in favour of a permanent memorial for Gateshead to commemorate the lives lost to the pandemic.
Several local authorities across the country have already provided memorials to honour the lives lost in their areas, ranging from memorial benches to public artworks.
Councillor Maria Hall, Cabinet Member for Communities, Volunteering and Localities, said: "The strength of Gateshead is the people of Gateshead, and we are stronger, more resilient and can achieve so much more when we work together. In times of happiness, sadness, hardship and success, having support within our communities is so important.
We know grief and how we remember our loved ones is very personal, but we believe that a permanent memorial and focal point will give those who have lost, those who have sacrificed, and those who are thankful for the way we supported one another throughout the pandemic a dedicated place for peaceful reflection at the heart of our community.
I am delighted to confirm that, following consultation with the public, we will be installing a memorial in Saltwell Park, and we look forward to sharing more details on this in the near future."
Councillors will meet to discuss the next steps in providing a memorial for Gateshead communities, with further evaluation of the consultation responses, and an update will be provided following this meeting.
Saltwell Park was the focus of Gateshead's Day of Reflection, marking five years since the first national lockdown.
Residents joined the Mayor of Gateshead, Councillor Kath McCartney, to remember those who died during the pandemic and to thank those who sacrificed so much to help others at the event held at the park.
The mayor planted a tree near the war memorial to mark the occasion, and activities at Saltwell Towers gave guests the opportunity to leave heartfelt messages of remembrance and gratitude, as well as paint pebbles and complete colouring sheets which showed the heroes on the frontline.
Songs were also performed by Savannah, a student from Gateshead College, and poems were read by elected members including the Deputy Leader of the council, Councillor Catherine Donovan, and Councillor Maria Hall, Cabinet Member for Communities, Volunteering and Localities.
The response to the council's Covid-19 memorial consultation coincided with the event, where it was confirmed by Councillor Hall that most respondents were in favour of a permanent memorial for Gateshead to commemorate the lives lost to the pandemic.
Several local authorities across the country have already provided memorials to honour the lives lost in their areas, ranging from memorial benches to public artworks.
Councillor Maria Hall, Cabinet Member for Communities, Volunteering and Localities, said: "The strength of Gateshead is the people of Gateshead, and we are stronger, more resilient and can achieve so much more when we work together. In times of happiness, sadness, hardship and success, having support within our communities is so important.
We know grief and how we remember our loved ones is very personal, but we believe that a permanent memorial and focal point will give those who have lost, those who have sacrificed, and those who are thankful for the way we supported one another throughout the pandemic a dedicated place for peaceful reflection at the heart of our community.
I am delighted to confirm that, following consultation with the public, we will be installing a memorial in Saltwell Park, and we look forward to sharing more details on this in the near future."
Councillors will meet to discuss the next steps in providing a memorial for Gateshead communities, with further evaluation of the consultation responses, and an update will be provided following this meeting.
