IN PICTURES: Playground naming ceremony honours Annie

Local school pupils gathered in Alexandra Park today to name a play area in a tribute to a former child of Cramlington.

‘Annie’s Playground’ honours Annie Green who grew up among the coal heaps of West Cramlington and whose life was tragically cut short when she died during a national outbreak of rheumatic fever in the 1930’s.

School children from Ss Peter and Paul’s Primary Academy were joined by Annie’s relatives, members of Cramlington Heritage and History Hub, Cramlington U3A Local History Group, local historians, representatives of Cramlington Town Council and Sing United.

Cramlington Town Mayor Loraine De Simone welcomed guests, followed by Cllr Paul Ezhilchelvan who gave an address explaining the development of the site. Historian Barry Stewart gave a resume of Annie’s life and then Marie Dooley from the U3A presented a photograph of Annie to the school pupils.

Cramlington Town Council Community and Youth Manager Maggie Martin presented a knitted doll that had been created by Cramlington Knit and Knatter to relatives of Annie.

The proceedings included three songs from community singing group Sing United.

Councillor Ezhilchelvan said, “Within Alexandra Park is a play area that Cramlington Town Council has recently spent £100,000 refurbishing to create an exciting, colourful and safe area for local children to enjoy.”

“The naming of this play area is now a wonderful memorial to Annie Green and all the young people who died during the outbreak. Along with my colleague Cllr Steve Garrett we have been checking out the QR code on the plaque which gives people an instant link to information about Annie and the site. (Read the information HERE) It was a wonderful ceremony and I thank everybody who contributed to give Annie a fitting memorial.”