The London Borough of Bexley officially unveiled a new memorial plaque and garden at Old Farm Avenue Park in Sidcup on Sunday 8 March.
The ceremony coincided with the annual UK-wide National COVID-19 Day of Reflection, providing a dedicated space for residents to honour those lost since the pandemic began.
The memorial, which features a commemorative plaque set within a small newly landscaped garden area, was officially opened by the Leader of the London Borough of Bexley, Councillor David Leaf.
The plaque bears the inscription:
In this garden we remember and reflect; we mourn and pray; we honour and give thanks”
Leader of the London Borough of Bexley, Councillor David Leaf, said:
It was important for us to establish a permanent space where our community can visit to reflect on their experiences and remember those no longer with us. This garden is a tribute to the resilience of our residents and the tireless acts of kindness shown during an unprecedented time".
Councillor Melvin Seymour, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Adults' Services shared his personal reflections on the pandemic in a video published online on Sunday (8 March). He commented:
It’s a time for reflection and to note the great work that people did, going over and above what can be expected of people. Our nurses and doctors who did such sterling work in keeping many of us safe and many of us alive. Our Community Champions and people in the community going out delivering food and prescriptions. Our Social Care teams in Bexley did an enormously fantastic job in reaching out to people and making sure people had the attention and care that they needed. And our retail workers and delivery drivers who came to work and kept our supermarkets open.
“When we look back upon this time, we will look upon it, I know, with a tinge of sadness for many of us. But it also showed that as a society we are still there for each other”.
The memorial was a long-standing vision of the former Leader of the Council, The Baroness O’Neill of Bexley OBE, who sought to create a permanent outdoor space for the community. The garden and plaque are both a place of mourning for loved ones lost and as a site of gratitude for those who contributed to the local pandemic response.
Old Farm Avenue Park was selected for its symbolic significance, as the site itself was opened during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The National COVID-19 Day of Reflection is observed annually to recognise the ongoing impact of the pandemic and to celebrate the strength of community spirit. This year’s unveiling serves as a focal point for local remembrance, ensuring that the stories and sacrifices are never forgotten.
A list of organisations who can support bereavement, mental health, long COVID, frontline workers and children is available on GOV.UK
The next National Day of Reflection is scheduled to take place on Sunday 14 March 2027.