Dedicated Benches, Trees and Plaques

For Celebration, Commemoration or Remembrance

A dedicated bench or tree can make a fitting tribute or memorial to a loved one, or can be used to commemorate a special occasion such as a birth, birthday, wedding or anniversary. Or your may simply wish to acknowledge someone's love for, or connection with, a place in the Borough.

Dedicated Benches in Parks, Open Spaces, Cemeteries, Highways and Play Areas

The Council offers a 'lease' arrangement where you can help meet the cost of a new bench through a minimum donation scheme. The donation you make reflects the time period that the Council will maintain the bench and allow any dedication plaque to be displayed.

To enhance the special character of these places the Council must approve the location of any bench, and only benches of an approved design can be installed.

Dedicated Trees in Parks and Open Spaces

You help meet the cost of planting a new 'specimen' tree in a park or open space through a minimum donation scheme. The Council will then maintain the tree for its natural life-span or for a minimum of 20 years.

The species and location of any new trees must fit in with an agreed planting plan for a park or open space.

Dedication Plaques for new Benches and Trees

Anyone 'leasing' a bench has the option of having a plaque attached, carrying a short dedication or message.

Trees can also be accompanied by a plaque, attached to a small plinth which is sunk into the ground near the base of the tree.

No plaques for trees are permitted in memorial woodland areas or within highway verges.

Dedication Plaques on existing 'Shared Benches' or other features

As an alternative to 'leasing' a bench you can request a plaque to be attached to an existing bench, alongside other plaques (up to 4 per bench). The payment you make reflects the time period that the Council can allow the plaque to be displayed.

Commemorative Wall and Tree Kerb Plaques

Within Durham Road, Stockton, Thornaby and Billingham Cemeteries there is provision to allow Caithness Stone plaques (from an approved supplier), to be displayed for an agreed period of time. Costs vary dependent on the size of plaque, design and amount of text.

Within Thornaby Cemetery there is also the option of a tree kerb plaque, also of Caithness Stone within a memorial garden setting.

For more details and costings on the Commemorative wall and tree kerb plaque option please contact Bereavement Services on 01642 527341/2.

Dedication Plaques - General Note

It would certainly be possible to upgrade or amend a plaque during the time of its display, if say there were a change in personal circumstances, however this would have a cost implication.

Memorial or Commemorative Woodlands

Butterwick Wood is currently the only active memorial woodland in the Borough. It is located in Newham Grange Park, Stockton. Tree planting at this site is administered through the Butterwick Hospice, and more information is available at:

www.stockton.gov.uk/citizenservices/environment/parksandopen/parksopenspace/newhamgrangepark/butterwickwood/

In the future the Council may re-launch the Family Wood near Oxbridge Cemetery, and possibly create other memorial or celebratory woods within the Borough.

Once you have decided what is best for you please complete the relevant application form located at the bottom of this page. Each form provides details of the minimum donations required and other useful information.

For any further advice please contact Care For Your Area on 01642 391959, or email careforyourarea@stockton.gov.uk