Permanent Covid Memorial For Stoke-on-Trent

Plans are progressing to build a permanent memorial to Stoke-on-Trent citizens who died from Covid during and after the pandemic.

A potential site for the memorial has already been identified at Westport Lake. Talks have taken place with the City Council and businesses and training organisations are also in discussions about joining the project as part of their apprenticeship programmes.

The project is being led alongside Lynn Jones MBE.

It’s thought there were more than 1,000 people from Stoke-on-Trent who died from early 2020 onwards. The project aim is to secure funding and erect a memorial which relatives will be able to add their names to.  The site will also be a place for quiet contemplation and remembrance, similar to London’s Covid Wall.

Former city Vice -Principal Lynne Jones MBE, who lost her husband to Covid during the pandemic, is heavily involved with the Wall project in London. She’s now working with Gareth to secure something permanent for Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire.

Along with other members of the Covid-bereaved community she has identified Westport Lake as a preferred site due to on-site parking and cafe facilities.

Gareth said “So far we have received a great deal of interest and offers of support from all sections of the community.”

“We feel the memorial will be an inclusive safe space to remember those we lost to Covid and to celebrate the community spirit which saw the city through the pandemic.

“We’re looking at making bids for funding and we’d like to hear from any relatives or businesses who would like to be involved.”

Lynn said: “I lost my beautiful husband Gareth tragically to Covid in March 2021.

“I am a friend of the Wall in London where my husband has a heart painted on the wall.

“It would be wonderful if we had a memorial in the city if Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire to all those who died in the most terrible circumstances during the pandemic.

“I am working with Stoke Central MP Gareth Snell and the council community department to make contact with others who would want their loved ones to be remembered in this way. Please contact us if you would wish to be involved.”

Please complete the registration form to let me know about loved ones lost to Covid and to be kept up to date with developments. The form can be found at https://garethsnell.org.uk/covid-memorial/