Residents of Sheffield to decide where to plant tree memorials to honour war veterans

15 September 2017

Sheffield City Council has announced it is planting 300 memorial trees and will work with residents for ideas on where they should be planted and how they should look. The memorial trees will honour veterans from Sheffield who lost their lives in conflict and be planted in parks across the city. The council has also made a commitment to ensure these trees remain, in perpetuity.

Cabinet member for Culture, Parks & Leisure at Sheffield City Council, Councillor Mary Lea said: “We are delighted to announce that the Council will create a brand new memorial site in the city’s parks, consisting of around 300 trees, to remember all those from Sheffield who sadly lost their lives in conflict.

"In addition, we’re making a commitment to ensure these new trees remain, in their entirety, so that future generations will be aware of the sacrifice of others for many years to come.

"Currently, there are just under 300 registered memorial trees planted in the city and through this new project, we want to replicate this number in parks by providing a fitting and long-lasting new memorial, where people can gather to pay their respects and remember the fallen in a peaceful and serene environment. We’re inviting the people of Sheffield to support us in this exciting new project by sending in their ideas for the new sites, which we hope to memorialise in 2018, to commemorate the 100 year centenary of the First World War.

“The memorial will provide an accessible tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country and will offer a quiet alternative to those memorials that are located on busy streets or hard to reach areas.”

The scheme has also received the backing of the Royal British Legion, County President, Robert Mortimer who said: "We are proud to support Sheffield City Council in the planting of these trees. Memorial trees planted in parks offer a tranquil sanctuary to those wanting to pay their respects to our late comrades lost in battle.”

The trees will be planted and memorialised in time for the 2018 centenary which marks the end of World War One.