Stockport’s COVID Community Commemoration Project reflects on pandemic

Nationally since the pandemic communities have turned their energy towards commemoration of the period and, as the United Kingdom comes together to remember, Stockport Council has been supporting communities to commemorate those we have lost in the borough and to celebrate the way communities came together to help one another.

The COVID Commemoration Project was launched as a way of supporting community groups to design, create and install public memorials in every ward of the borough.

Councillor Singleton said: “The COVID Community Commemoration Project is a wonderful way to remember those we lost and to honour the way in which everyone in Stockport pulled together to help each other and show true kindness during the pandemic. The projects have been nominated by people living and working in Stockport and we are grateful to everyone involved.”

A total of 30 projects have been proposed since the start of the project and all wards have at least one project which is either in progress or has been completed. Some wards have developed more than one project.

All of the projects have been developed with consideration for their longevity and the ongoing maintenance required for the final installation.

The latest project to be completed on 28 February is in Manor Ward and was a seating area at Vernon Park which incorporates the memorial bench ends and elements of the Stan the Snake pebble memorial which was created during lockdown.

In Offerton Ward, an art exhibition will also preview on 7 March and run from Friday 8 March to Thursday 11 April at Stockport War Memorial Gallery to honour NHS staff who worked tirelessly throughout the Covid-19 Pandemic.

Schemes completed or in development are:

• Orchard at Bramhall Park Walled Garden
• Buddy bench at Bramhall Park
• Memorial bench at Bramhall Methodist Church
• Garden space at Woodford War Memorial Community Centre
• Memorial benches in Cheadle Hulme
• Installation of a series of animal carvings at Abney Hall Park, Cheadle
• Memorial bench at Adswood Park, Cheadle
• Decorated memorial planter in Scholes Hill Park, Gatley
• Renovation and reinstatement of Ockleston Weathervane at St Mary's Church, Cheadle
• Commemorative plaque at Heald Green Village Hall recording the support provided from there during lockdown
• Seating area in the centre of Heald Green shopping district
• Memorial benches at Heatons Meadow, Heaton Chapel
• Memorial benches at Norris Bank, Heaton Mersey
• Memorial garden at St Agnes Church, Reddish
• Seating area at Grafton Park, Heaton Norris
• Renovated flagpole and stone memorial at Marple Memorial Park
• Memorial garden at St Thomas Church, High Lane
• Memorial planter on Hawk Green village green
• Indoor mural at Offerton Community Centre showcasing lockdown-related artwork produced by local art group
• Stepping Hill Covid Commemoration Art Exhibition
• Installation of specimen tree at Arundel Avenue, Woodsmoor
• Improvements to Clarendon Road Park, Hazel Grove
• Landscaped area at Berwick Parade, Brinnington
• Refurbished sensory room at Adswood Young People Centre
• Commemorative plaque at Adswood Young People Centre recording the support provided from there during lockdown
• Installation of defibrillator at Alexandra Park, Edgeley
• Seating area at Vernon Park incorporating heritage-style benches and elements of pebble memorial (‘Stan the Snake’) created by a young Stockport resident during lockdown
• Memorial bench at Woodley local centre
• Indoor mural at Woodley Civic Hall showcasing local photographs and lockdown-related artwork produced by local art group
• Improvements at Chadkirk Country Estate.