An area of reflection and remembrance was officially opened within Barrow Park by Westmorland and Furness Council last week.
The Barrow Park Covid Memorial area was officially opened by the local ward member for Ormsgill and Parkside, Councillor Bill McEwan, who was joined by Mayor of Barrow Councillor Judith McEwan, and members from the local community groups involved in the creation of the space.
The area, a joint project designed by the former Barrow Borough Council and funded by the former Cumbria County Council, is a quiet area of reflection for those who lost loved ones due to the Covid pandemic.
The space provides a peaceful area to sit and reflect with a ‘tree of life’ mosaic at the feet of two benches. The space also includes two circle planters with planted herbs specially chosen for their symbolic meaning. These include fennel for long lasting love, rosemary for remembrance, lemon balm for sympathy as well as virtue and lavender for devotion.
To add to the seclusion of the seating, the benches are surrounded by a hedge of crab apple trees, donated and planted by the Barrow Rotary Club.
The mosaic was separated into four quadrants with each piece decorated by a local community group. Members and volunteers from Love Barrow Families, Furness Multicultural, Youth Ability, and a collaboration between Family Action and Ormsgill Stronger Together, dedicated many hours adding the different coloured mosaic tiles onto the pre-designed quadrants. Once complete the quadrants were brought back together and installed on the site.
Councillor Bill McEwan, Westmorland and Furness Council Ward Member for Ormsgill and Parkside, said:
“This is a truly special space which I hope brings comfort to people as they sit in quiet reflection. The Covid pandemic was a difficult time for many, especially for those who experienced the loss of a loved one.
“The time, effort and love that has gone into this memorial area gives me a great sense of pride for our community of Barrow and I’d like to say a heartfelt thanks to every single person who has been involved with this project.
“It is important to us as a council that we support and involve our local community groups, and by working in partnership with them we have created a poignant and welcoming place of reflection.”