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A memorial garden has been unveiled by Newham Council to honour the local residents who died from Covid-19 and commemorate the borough’s front-line services.
Located in east London at Plaistow Park, the rather charming garden has been designed by Jon Sheaff & Associates, local artist Matt Ponting, and Plaistow Community Neighbourhood to remember the 1,013 Newham residents who died during the pandemic.
The unveiling ceremony opened with the cutting of a purple ribbon and a heartfelt speech from Mayor of Newham, Rokhsana Fiaz OBE. There were also musical performances by the Newham Super Choir and a young local cellist.
The garden includes a seasonal planting area, a blooming wildflower mini-meadow and three handmade totem poles, which have been created to represent themes of regrowth, support and community.
A joint statement from Councillor Neil Wilson and Councillor James Asser said: ‘We hope that the new memorial garden in Plaistow will be a place where those who have lost a loved one during the pandemic will find solace.
‘This memorial is a lasting tribute, where all generations are invited to visit, sit, reflect and remember.’
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