Sadly the Luton Covid memorial now contains 776 flowers - each one representing a loved one who has died of the virus in the town.
First erected in November 2020, it can still be viewed on the outside wall of the Wigmore Church at the north end of Crawley Green Road. Instigators Gail Bennett and Jenny Spouge continue to add flowers when needed, though rejoicing in the weeks when there are no further losses. As the flowers begin to fade, both Jenny and Gail are grateful for the trees being planted around the town as a more lasting & greener memorial as part of Luton’s Peace Garden Initiative, but they will continue to keep creating these textile memories as well.
A panel has been created to represent the memorial and submitted for inclusion in the National Covid Quilt being produced by Bernina and the Quilters’ Guild. Such has been the response to the initiative that there were three quilts, put on display for the first time at the Festival of Quilts at the NEC, Birmingham, in the month of August.
All different faith communities and places of worship across Britain have tried to find ways to acknowledge and reflect on the effects of the pandemic on communities and this prompted Luton’s Wigmore Church to mount a Covid Memorial on the front of the church, crocheting and knitting a flower each for every person who died of Covid-19 in Luton.
Revd Heather Whyte, the United Reformed Church (URC) Minister, said, “This memorial of flowers is a reminder that the numbers of deaths we hear aren’t just statistics but people, people with families, people who are loved.”
She added, “We hope and pray that not many more flowers will need to be added, but we know the pandemic is still very prevalent in Luton. The crafters will continue, so anyone who has lost someone will know that a flower has been created with love for their loved one and they are in our prayers.”
You can see the memorial by walking or driving past the front of the Wigmore United Reformed and Methodist Church, Crawley Green Road LU2 9TE.
Many families and friends could not say goodbye to their loved one which has made the grieving process even more difficult. Initiatives like these are about supporting families and individuals in the bereavement process and doing something positive for all.
Luton’s Peace Garden Initiative led by Sujel Miah of Luton Council of Mosques is also progressing well. The project is about planting a tree for every life lost because of Covid-19. Following tree planting in Wigmore Park last year, this year trees have been planted in Wardown Park, Pope’s Meadow, People’s Park and Mayne Avenue in Hockwell Ring. For more information about this project, please visit https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/Peacegarden. This is also linking with and complementing the Queen’s Green Canopy Initiative which has been launched as part of Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
Gail Bennett and Jenny Spouge keep adding to the Covid Memorial at Wigmore Church saying each flower represents a life lost to Covid.