Virtual opening ceremony for Rotherham Covid memorial

A memorial to remember the 800 people in Rotherham who have died with Covid-19 is set to be virtually unveiled this weekend.
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The Hope Fields memorial at Thrybergh Country Park, honours both the victims of Covid-19 and those who fought the virus will be unveiled, on Saturday March 27 – just days after the anniversary of the first national lockdown on March 23.

An online event to be broadcast on Rotherham Council’s Facebook Page, will include performances by the Sangeet Choir and Rotherham Symphony Orchestra, prayers from faith leaders, and films showing the transformation of the site.

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Councillor Jenny Andrews, the mayor of Rotherham, will also plant and dedicate a tree as part of the proceedings and people will get their first sight of the original art installation by local artist Dan Jones, at the top of Hope Fields overlooking Thrybergh lake.

The memorial site.The memorial site.
The memorial site.

Leanne Buchan, Rotherham Council’s head of creative programming and engagement, , said: “In planning Hope Fields we talked to a range of people – including bereaved families, key workers, faith leaders and local residents – to ensure it will provide a much-needed calm and contemplative space.

“This special place will be open for many years to come, and given that restrictions are still place and the park already receives a lot of visitors, particularly at weekends, we ask that initially people join us online to remember those we have lost, and to honour the resilience, kindness and strength that our key workers, volunteers and communities have shown.”

The site will include a pond and wetland, community orchard, interactive play activities and a new bird hide.

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Leanne added: “COVID-19 caused many types of loss, and the memorial needed to inclusively recognise the indirect toll of the pandemic alongside the lives lost to the virus.

“Many people raised concerns that their loved one might not be included because COVID-19 wasn’t the official cause of death. Others said seeing a loved one’s name on a public memorial would be upsetting and stop Hope Fields being a place where they and their family could heal and look to the future.

The online unveiling ceremony will be posted online from 10am on March 27 on the Rotherham Council Events Facebook page at www.facebook.com/RMBCEvents