Barnard Castle Memorial tree helps pay tribute to loved ones

A MEMORIAL message tree to commemorate loved ones has received a £500 boost.
The Friends of the Richardson Hospital has given funding for cards of remembrance to be hung on a tree at Galgate Greens, in Barnard Castle.
Christmas lights will adorn the memorial garden tree and the cards will hang from them. Personalised messages can be added to the cards, which are available from shops for an optional donation of £5. A fence will go around the tree when the lights are up and an opening ceremony will take place on November 25. The chairwoman of the Friends, Marie Yarker, said the project was one of several the group had backed this year.
“We approached Cllr Roger Peat and we offered to make it a memorial from the Friends of the Richardson,” she said. “It’s a way of reminding people we are here to support the community.”
Town councillor Roger Peat took on the project alongside the Barnard Castle Christmas Lights Group.
Andalucia, in Galgate, will be one of the shops giving out the memorial cards.
Owner Christine Taylour said: “I am delighted – to have something like this is really going to open up the town.” Cards can be obtained from Galgate News, Andalucia, the Teesdale Mercury Shop and Woodleigh, off Scar Top.