PLANS are taking shape for a much-loved former teacher and mayor to have a small orchard named in his memory.

Yarm’s Alan Gallafant died in April aged 73. His passing sparked tributes from across the town as well as from those in education and football on Teesside.

Now Yarm Town Council has heard proposals to name a small patch of fruit trees named in memory of the town’s former mayor. A memorial bench funded by family and friends is also being lined up in the town.

Read more: Last chance to visit Butterwick Hospice Shop in Yarm as it shuts down

Cllr Coulson told Tuesday’s meeting he hoped to bring a plan to the allotment committee to put the former mayor’s name on a stretch of allotment fruit trees. He said: “I would like the area Alan got sorted out with fruit trees to be known as Alan’s Orchard.

“We need to recognise just what magnificent work the man did. It was just amazing.”

The meeting also heard how the Yarm Allotment Association had also contributed to the idea with their own hopes to mark Alan’s memory.

Mr Gallafant joined Yarm Town Council after the 2019 elections. In a statement, the town council announced Alan’s passing last month and paid tribute to his efforts.

“Alan’s boundless energy, enthusiasm and no nonsense attitude will be sorely missed,” it added.

“In the comparatively short time Alan served at Yarm Town Council, he made a huge contribution – generating a harmonious community at Yarm Allotments, giving great amounts of voluntary time to practical improvements, initiating the ManShed health project, and contributing to the long standing work of colleagues to help achieve the Yarm Town Hall Heritage Centre.

“Colleagues have observed that they feel privileged to have worked with someone inspirational, endlessly positive, spirited and humorous.”

Read more: Dr.inks, in Darlington, launches petition over pavement drinking ban

Tributes were also paid by Wolviston FC where Alan was manager of the first team for two seasons.

The club said: “He was a very approachable, lovely man who was infectious with his opinions of football. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”

Yarm Town Council has two vacancies for councillors at the moment after the departure of Cllr Chris Johnson from the authority last month.

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also follow our dedicated Teesside Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.

For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054