500 trees to be planted in tribute to those lost to Covid
TREES are to be planted across North Somerset to remember the people in the district who lost their lives to Covid-19. The plans to plant 500 trees in tribute to lost loved ones were unveiled by North Somerset Council on the National Day of Reflection this week.
Latest data shows 459 North Somerset residents have died from Covid19 since the start of the pandemic. To mark the second anniversary of the start of the first lockdown, the authority has announced that native trees will be planted this autumn in locations across the area to create spaces for reflection.
The trees will include varieties such as birch, oak, hornbeam, field maple, rowan, hazel, dogwood and crab apple. It is hoped the trees will give people a place to go and reflect and remember their loved ones.
North Somerset Council executive member for health Mike Bell said: “The pandemic has affected all of us in different ways. Being able to take time to reflect on the changes we’ve been through over the last couple of years is important for our own mental health.
“By planting these memorial trees across the area, we hope to give people local places to visit where they can pause and contemplate their experiences. The trees will also provide a physical space for people to remember the loved ones that we’ve lost for many years to come.
“Due to the tree planting season, the work will be carried out this autumn with more information being released about the precise locations over the summer.”
News of the tree planting comes at the same time as cases of Covid have reached their highest level ever across the district.
In the week up to March 18, the case rate had soared to 1,503.4 cases per 100,000 population – up 52 per cent on the previous week. People across the district are now being invited to get their spring booster jabs.
In the latest phase of the vaccination programme, a second booster will be offered to everyone aged 75 and over, people who live in care homes for older people and people aged 12 and over with a weakened immune system.
The additional spring booster will help protect them over the summer months and reduce their chances of needing hospital treatment if they do catch the virus.
The best time to have the spring booster is six months after the previous booster and the NHS will invite people to be vaccinated. Dr Geeta Iyer, clinical director for the Covid-19 Vaccination Programme in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (BNSSG), said: “We want to make sure that everyone who is at greatest risk from Covid infection is able to access the spring booster.
“Covid is very active in our area at the moment and infection levels are high.
“Vaccination works and I’d like to encourage everyone who is eligible for a booster this Spring to take up the invitation when they receive it to help protect them over the coming months.”
Details of the Covid-19 memorial tree planting locations will be published on www.n-somerset.gov.uk/ trees when available.