A range of woodland walks, new tree planting and park improvements are all set to take place in the county to commemorate the life of Queen Elizabeth II.

The proposals, recommended for approval at Northumberland County Council’s Cabinet, come after almost 1,000 residents came forward with ideas on how to celebrate the reign of Queen Elizabeth II following her death earlier this year.

The chosen schemes are intended to reflect the late Queen’s love of the outdoors and countryside and it was also the theme suggested by many of the respondents to the council’s consultation.

The proposals include a new scheme to improve bridleways at East Cramlington Local NatureReserve, making a more accessible all-weather circular route.

At Valley Park the proposed scheme will improve the pathways by overlaying them with a new stone surface. It is also planned to remove the high steps leading from Dudley Lane and install a path on a slight incline to make the site more accessible to all. There is also a need to repair two small wooden bridges crossing the stream within the site, it is planned to either replace them completely or widen them both to allow better access for all. The sections of path leading to the bridges will be gently ramped to all wheelchair access. There are two ponds on site which are both 99% silted up with reeds and debris, the plan is to dredge these ponds whilst retaining some reed beds and overgrown areas as these will add to the biodiversity of the area.

As part of the commemoration programme each site will have a special interpretation panel installed that would identify the site as being part of the Council’s QEII Commemoration Schemes, signpost visitors to where they could obtain further information on the other initiatives, as well as providing site specific information.

Councillor Glen Sanderson, Leader of Northumberland County Council, said: “We all felt the shock and sadness of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and I was moved by the huge response we got to our appeal for memorial suggestions.

“It shows how much the late Queen meant to everyone and I’m delighted we’re set to agree a range of memorial projects across our beautiful county.”

A total of £370,000 is earmarked for the projects at Eastwoods Park, Prudhoe; Tyne Green, Hexham; Bolam Lake Country Park; Carlisle Park, Morpeth; Isabella Heap, Blyth; QEII Country Park, Ashington; East Cramlington Local Nature Reserve; Valley Park, Cramlington; Cleasewell Hill Park, Choppington; two new community Woodlands, Alnwick; Queen’s Garden, Tweedmouth and Warkworth Beach.

Cllr Sanderson added: “The schemes we’re putting forward look to build on the stunning green spaces we already have in our county and will give people the opportunity to reflect and remember while enjoying the health benefits of the great outdoors.

“We wanted the schemes to cover as much of the county as possible and many are in more urban areas where it will be easier for people to get to and enjoy.

“And as they are ‘natural’ projects they will continue to grow and flourish over the coming years – creating a real lasting legacy which I’m sure the late Queen would approve of.”

More details on the proposed schemes are available HERE.