Remembering the High Peak lives lost to coronavirus

People across the High Peak are being urged to fall silent today to remember those lost during the coronavirus pandemic.
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As we mark the one year anniversary of the first covid lockdown, a National Day of Reflection is taking place including a minute’s silence at 12noon, and a doorstep vigil at 8pm to remember all those who have died.

High Peak Borough Council has announced it will be planting memorial trees to mark the losses that people in the High Peak have suffered as a result of the pandemic.

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High Peak Mayor, Councillor Ed Kelly, said: “This year has been like no other and everyone has been affected in some way. Very sadly, people across High Peak have lost loved ones and no community has been untouched by the impact the virus has had.

Shirley Woods-Gallagher, holding a picture of her as a young child with her father, and Councillor Damien Greenhalgh in Glossop’s Norfolk Square where one of the memorial trees will be planted.Shirley Woods-Gallagher, holding a picture of her as a young child with her father, and Councillor Damien Greenhalgh in Glossop’s Norfolk Square where one of the memorial trees will be planted.
Shirley Woods-Gallagher, holding a picture of her as a young child with her father, and Councillor Damien Greenhalgh in Glossop’s Norfolk Square where one of the memorial trees will be planted.

“Others have felt this in their businesses and livelihoods, their education and the lack of social contact with family members and friends and, on behalf of the council, we send our sincere condolences to all those who have suffered.

“Alongside joining the national reflection, we wanted to have a lasting legacy within our communities in recognition and acknowledgement and we’ve chosen to plant memorial trees as places where people can go to remember for years to come.”

Proposed sites for the trees include the Slopes in Buxton and Norfolk Square in Glossop; parks and recreation grounds in Chapel-en-le-Frith, Hadfield, Hayfield, New Mills and Whaley Bridge, and cemeteries and war memorials in Castleton, Hope and Tintwistle.

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The type of trees to be planted include oak, lime, maple and beech and other sites could be considered if there is interest from parish councils. They will be planted during the next tree planting season in the autumn.

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And, for one Glossop resident, the oak trees that will planted in Norfolk Square will have a very special resonance as she remembers her father.

Shirley Woods-Gallagher said: “My Dad’s dying wish was to have an oak tree to remember him by. An oak tree in my village square means the world to me. I will finally have new scaffolding to process grief and celebrate his life.

“It will help all bereaved families whatever their families have died of during the last year.”