On Sunday 14 November, five alders were planted in memory of individuals or groups of our local residents who died as a direct or indirect result of the Covid pandemic. One of the trees was dedicated to our late colleague, Cllr Andrew Davis.

Alison Roche tending the tree planted in memory of her husband, Cllr Andrew Davis.

Funding for these trees came from public donations collected by local community activist, Liani Mannifield, in the aftermath of the chainsaw felling of a number of trees along the Thames and elsewhere in Weybridge over the summer.

Elmbridge Borough Council Greenspaces team helped with selection and planting of the trees and the Mayor of Elmbridge and local councillors attended the event. Our thanks go to Liani, James East of Weybridge Litter Pickers and your local Lib Dem Councillor Judy Sarsby, who organised the event. Weybridge church leaders gave their support and helped identify families of those lost, while Weybridge Male Voice Choir sung as each of the families and groups planted the five trees. One of the alders was dedicated to the seven choir members from around Surrey and another by local care home workers in memory of those they nursed but who sadly died.