Plans are being made for memorials to be created in North Tyneside to remember those who lost their lives during the pandemic.
North Tyneside Council has put together proposals for "unique spaces of reflection" in five locations linked with the borough's 30-mile waggonway network.
All the memorial areas will be based around the theme of a compass, with decorative hard landscaped paving, seating and natural planting.
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The compass design has been selected as the word compass combines two Latin words – ‘com’ which means together and ‘passus’ which means pace or step.
Together they can be interpreted to mean ‘journey together’, the council says.
The reflection areas will be created at the Silverlink Biodiversity Park, sometimes known as Sundial Park, Killingworth Lakeside Park, Churchill Playing Fields, Wallsend Hall grounds and Redburn Dene Park.
A design relevant to each location will feature in the compass and residents are being asked for their views on them.
Mayor Norma Redfearn said: “We know that the pandemic is not over, but we also know that our communities want to commemorate and remember those we have lost and reflect on our shared experiences.
“As well as those who have sadly passed away from the virus, many people have suffered loss in different ways. This has included loss of employment, loss of the contact with love ones or a sense of loss of a certain way of life.
"However, community spirit has shone through in the face of a common enemy – I am immensely proud of the strength and determination that has been shown across all of North Tyneside.
“The pandemic saw more people than ever get outside to walk and cycle so places linked with the waggonways seem a natural location for the areas of reflection.
"The designs will provide areas for quiet reflection, to show our incredible community strength by reconnecting our residents to our borough and will be a lasting reminder of the struggles we all overcame.
“We’d really like residents to tell us what they think should be in the centre of each compass and I’d encourage everyone to provide their views.”
Options for the designs include either a locomotive or mining for Killingworth, a lighthouse or the Dome for Whitley Bay, Segedunum or shipbuilding for Wallsend, and fishing or the Priory for North Shields.
A sun will be featured on the compass in the Silverlink Biodiversity Park to compliment the sundial theme.
People can give their views by searching ‘have your say’ at www.northtyneside.gov.uk or by using the Community Corners at Customer First Centres. The survey will be open until January 14, 2022, and can also be seen here.
