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Chronicle Live
National
Sonia Sharma

Designs revealed for North Tyneside memorials to remember people who died during Covid pandemic

These designs have been chosen for special memorials to remember those who lost their lives during the pandemic.

Five "reflection areas" will be created across North Tyneside based around the theme of a compass and set in decorative hard landscaped paving, with seating and natural planting.

The locations will include Killingworth Lakeside Park, Churchill Playing Fields in Whitley Bay, Redburn Dene Park in North Shields, Wallsend Hall grounds, and Silverlink Biodiversity Park.

Go here for the latest news updates from North Tyneside

A design relevant to each location will feature in the centre of the compass.

Residents were asked to choose their preferred artwork and now, following a survey, designs associated with George Stephenson, St Mary’s Lighthouse, fishing and shipbuilding have been selected.

The fifth compass, for the Silverlink Biodiversity Park, will feature a sun to complement the existing sundial in the park.

One of the chosen memorial designs (North Tyneside Council)

Mayor Norma Redfearn said: “The areas will be a place where people can visit to remember the loved ones they tragically lost, as well as offering a space to reflect on the impact that the pandemic had on us all, but to also remember the ways in which people came together to support one another. As always, community spirit shone through in North Tyneside and continues to do so.

“The areas of reflection are for each and every one of our residents and it was hugely important to us that they had the opportunity to be involved. I’d like to thank everyone who took part in the survey and thank those who asked that we create these spaces.

“I am also delighted local businesses in North Tyneside and Northumberland will be helping to create the areas and memorials.”

The five locations are linked with the borough’s 30-mile wagonway network.

North Tyneside Council says the pandemic saw more people than ever get outside to walk and cycle, so places linked with the wagonways seemed a natural location for the areas of reflection.

The design chosen for North Shields (North Tyneside Council)

North Tyneside’s historic wagonways date back to the 19th Century and were once used to haul coal to ships on the River Tyne from dozens of coal mines.

The routes connect the borough with a central point at Silverlink Biodiversity Park, sometimes known as ‘sundial park’ due to the giant structure on top of the park’s hill.

The memorials will start to be installed in the spring.

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