Gatehouse Community Council has planted a silver birch tree in the town car park to acknowledge the work of the NHS workers and the local volunteers during the Covid 19 pandemic.
Local resident Thomas McKie suggested that planting a tree would be a fitting tribute to the incredible community effort over the past 18 months.
And in a simple ceremony on Friday morning, long-standing Gatehouse resident Gordon Rowan unveiled the inscribed memorial plaque underneath the sapling.
Nick Morris, chairperson of NHS Dumfries and Galloway, local GP Dr Lisa Corrie, two representatives from Fleet Valley Home, two from the local NHS’ Short Term Assessment Reablement Service (STARS) team and local volunteers also attended.
Provost Helen Keating introduced Mr Morris who thanked the local people for their support of the NHS.
Speaking after the ceremony, Mrs Keating said: “The tree will be a lasting reminder of the contribution made by NHS staff and all our volunteers.
“They have our grateful thanks.
“Every cloud had a silver lining and the pandemic has brought out the best in people pulling together.”
A grander tree was originally planned – but was ruled out because of its eventual size.
“We had wanted to plant an oak but were told it would grow too big,” said the provost.
