Animal lovers gathered earlier in Holmebrook Valley Park with an arrange of dogs and a stunning pair of horses. They were there to unveil a memorial to recipients of the Dickin Award - the animals’ Victoria Cross.
The memorial consists of 74 purple stakes surmounted by a hand made purple poppy. Each represents the 74 awards of the Dickin Medal.
The memorial and commemorative board was unveiled by June Lane, Chesterfield Purple Poppy campaigner, and the Mayor and Consort, Cllrs Glenys and Keith Falconer.
It is a hugely untold part of our history about the role of animals in war and conflict and I am determined to see them recognised. The PDSA Dickin Medal is the only real tribute and with the purple poppy widely understood to be a complement to the Red Poppy campaign this seems a great way of marking this.
Unveiling this next to the off-lead dog area in Holmebrook Valley Park was very special - I was so pleased so many people and dogs came and excited that we were joined by horses Jazz and Sebastian from Holymoorside.
It was incredible that we also were joined by Dexter the East Midlands Fire Dog and his handler Dave representing Derbyshire Fire and Rescue and that we had so many local animal charities and pet industry professionals.
There is so much to do to make Chesterfield Dog Friendly and this was one step on that journey - I’m grateful for the huge support we are getting from local people but also from business - notably Sorbo cafe, Dogland Ltd., Quinney’s Pet Supplies of Littlemoor, Adorn and Twelfth Craft in the Shambles - but also the RSPCA and Chesterfield Animal Rescue.
The memorial and display will stay up in Holmebrook Valley Park for the next few weeks but there are plans to make it permanent as part of the re-fit and overhaul of the Dog Lead Free Area in the Park.
On Thursday Cllr Ed Fordham will lay a purple poppy wreath at Derbyshire County Council in Matlock - although this opportunity is being declined in Chesterfield.
Thank you everyone for coming and a special thanks to Luke Dawn and Owen
Glenys Falconer, Mayor of Chesterfield, read
ONLY A...
Those who say ‘it was only a dog’, or cat, or any other sweet companion
Have never know the blessing of those who give love so generously
Who forgive without regret. Lower our blood pressure, calm our anxieties, and
Their lives are the poorer.
We who know, grieve their loss, and hold them gently in our hearts and memory.
We see them run and jump, stretch and sleep, snore and slobber, and we smile.
We miss the fur that clogs the vacuum and the walks in rain and sun.
We miss the joy of play, and the quiet companionship always.
In time we will find we carry them with us,
And the pain of loss will fade
And the joy of remembrance will wrap itself around our lives.
And we shall be the richer.
By Celia Cartwright
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