TREES have been planted across Test Valley borough council last week to commemorate the coronavirus pandemic and the people who lost their lives to Covid.

The council has gifted a tree each to every parish in the borough as a symbol of hope in their communities.

One of the trees was planted at the Garden of Remembrance at St Mary’s Church in Andover as Andover MP and policing minister Kit Malthouse was joined by TVBC mayor Cllr Mark Cooper and Cllr Phil North.

This was followed by a poignant service in church attended by the families of those who lost loved ones to Covid

Cllr North wished the families may “take strength from the new life people up and down the borough have planted into the ground” and thanked Revd Chris Bradish for leading the worship.

As part of the programme, an Oak tree was planted near Anton Lake by Andover resident Brian Cartwright.

Mr Cartwright, a former sailor and an amateur photographer, said it was at least a year since he first thought of the idea to plant a tree to remember the Covid victims.

“I suggested to the council that a tree was planted near the Anton Lake to commemorate the pandemic and call it The Pandemic Oak,” he told the Advertiser.

“But it gradually went up the chain and when it got to the top of the council, they decided that they would plant trees in different parts of Test Valley.

“Because I suggested it, they let me plant one here in Anton Lake by the playground.”

There is also a plaque near the tree that reads “this Oak tree has been donated by Test Valley Borough Council and planted to remember those who lost their lives to the Covid-19 pandemic and to gratefully recognise all the many volunteers who gave their time and support to help others."