PRESS RELEASE – Covid 19 Commemorative Orchard Opening Ceremony
PRESS RELEASE
Covid 19 Commemorative Orchard Opening Ceremony
To recognise the severe impact Covid-19 had on the local community, Stone Town Council has created a Covid-19 Commemorative Orchard within Crown Meadow. The orchard consists of six cherry trees, a bench and a commemorative plaque.
On Tuesday 10th October 2023 a ceremony was held to officially open the orchard. Stone Town Mayor, Councillor Jim Davies, opened the ceremony with a short speech recognising the challenges presented by the pandemic and remembering those who sadly lost their lives. This was followed by a dedication and blessing of the orchard by the Mayor’s Chaplain, Reverend Jim Cartlidge. The Mayor and Councillor Robert Townsend, Chairman of the Council’s Environment Sub-Committee then unveiled the bench and commemorative plaque.
The ceremony was attended by representatives from local schools and care homes as well as Councillors and Council staff.
The orchard, situated just off Trent Close, has been created to provide a dedicated area where local residents can remember the impact of the pandemic on our area, reflect on those who worked tirelessly for others, and remember those who sadly lost their lives.
Councillor Robert Townsend, Chairman of the Council’s Environment Sub-Committee said “The Town Council is pleased to be able to provide this dedicated place of rest and reflection for the people of Stone, enabling them to take time to reflect on the severe impact the pandemic had on the local community and all the good work undertaken during that time, as well as on the lives that were lost.”
ENDS
16 October 2023
Les Trigg
Town Clerk
Stone Town Council
Telephone: 01785-619740
