Earlier this afternoon, the Crewe Town Mayor – Cllr Tom Dunlop – unveiled a Memorial Garden at Crewe Cemetery for loved ones who were lost during the COVID-19 pandemic. Crewe Town Council has donated £4,000 of funding towards the garden and two memorial benches.
Between 2020 to 2021, restrictions were in place that severely limited the numbers allowed to attend funerals and acts of remembrance. As a result, many families and loved ones felt that they had not been able to pay their respects as they would have wished and were unable to mourn for those that had passed.
The proposal for the Memorial Garden was put forward by Cllr Dunlop, who felt it was important for people within the Crewe community to have a space to sit peacefully, reflect and remember their loved ones.
As he formally opened the Garden, Cllr Dunlop said:
“Funerals are a celebration of a person’s life, but people didn’t get the opportunity to say goodbye and no farewell words were spoken. So I sincerely hope that people will come and sit on these benches and remember and talk about those people they lost.”
A prayer of dedication was given by Reverend A.J. Jeynes of St. Michael’s Coppenhall, before the ribbon was cut by the Mayor.
The Garden is a positive addition to Crewe and recognises the need to mark the loss of loved ones during exceptional times.
The garden was created by the Orbitas team at Crewe Cemetery, who will also be responsible for its ongoing maintenance.
Councillor Dunlop opening the garden
Rev Jeynes reading the prayer of dedication
One of the memorial benches
Mark Darbyshire of Orbitas with the Mayor and Reverend Jeynes
