Tree planted to mark International Workers Memorial Day

Tree planted beside the asbestos memorial

A tree was planted beside the International Asbestos Memorial opposite Rochdale Town Hall to mark International Workers’ Memorial Day, Friday 27 April, to remember asbestos victims and workers who have died throughout the world. The tree was planted by widows who have lost their husbands to asbestos related disease.

The tree was been paid for as a gift from Australia. Although a native of Australasia, the hardy specimen to be planted is from North Wales. Eucalyptus, once an ingredient in medicines to help mill workers breathe, is rather fitting for a memorial for lung diseases caused by asbestos-throughout the world, from Britain to Australia.

There were brief speeches by Tony Whitston, Greater Manchester Asbestos Victims’ Support Group. Hilda Palmer of Greater Manchester Hazards Centre and Jason Addy of the Save Spodden Valley Campaign who read out messages of support from Australia. 

Following the tree planting there was a screening in the Council Chamber of two short video presentations:

'Forget-me-knot' to mark International Workers’ Memorial Day - introduced by the voice of Tony Robinson and featuring SSV campaigners Sally and Barbara Balmer.

'Mesothelioma- the Human face of an Asbestos Epidemic'.

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Excerpts from the messages of support from Australia

We are delighted to hear that for International Workers Memorial Day you will be planting a cider gum eucalyptus tree at the International Workers Asbestos Memorial in Rochdale.

Even though we cannot be with you on this very special day, the gesture of planting our native tree at your memorial touches us deeply. Asbestos effects people through out the world and there is a common thread between us all.

During my 2006 visit to the UK, I was pleased to visit the world’s only memorial to asbestos victims; it is fitting that the Rochdale memorial has the word asbestos written in many languages as the asbestos epidemic has affected so many innocent people all over the globe.