Memorial Trees planted in Ecclesfield Park

The Revitalising Ecclesfield Park and Pavilion Group, with the help of Community Forestry, local schoolchildren and the Lord Mayor, have planted five new lime trees to replace old specimens originally planted to commemorate soldiers from Ecclesfield killed in the Great War.

The trees replaced were part of an original 53 planted to form a ‘lime avenue’ to commemorate the number of local people killed between 1914-1918.

The avenue of trees is believed to have been planted in the 1920s. Unfortunately, after so many years, some of the trees are coming towards the end of their lives. These replacements will mean that the sacrifice given by those young people so long ago will not be forgotten. Not only that, but these new trees will also serve as a memorial to those who have died in conflicts since then.

Rev Canon Tricia Impey conducted the service of dedication. During the service a poem was read out by local resident Anne Pearce to all those who have given their lives in all the conflicts since the Great War.

Also attending the service and helping the Lord Mayor plant the trees were children from Ecclesfield Primary School, Monteney Primary School, Ecclesfield Secondary, Ecclesfield Scout Groups and Ecclesfield Brownies.

The replanting project is part of a wider strategy to revitalize Ecclesfield Park, a strategy supported by local councillors and Angela, who also attended the replanting and the service of dedication.

Commenting on behalf of the Group, Angela Marsden said,

The aim of the Group is to create a focal point for the expanding village ensuring a safe, tranquil and fun environment for sports, leisure and other community activity. We are extremely pleased at the large attendance at the Event, which has really captured community spirit and ownership of the Park. Grateful thanks to everyone involved in making this project a huge success.

Local MP Angela Smith said,

I applaud the work of the local people involved in this project, who clearly love their Park and are determined to ensure it is restored to its former glory. The replacement of the missing trees will not only mean those young men who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country will not be forgotten for many years to come, but also that all those who have given their lives in the many conflicts since then will be remembered.

Issued : 18 November 2009

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