Councillor Danny Thorpe, Leader of the Council and Councillor Adel Khaireh, Cabinet Member for Culture, Communities and Equalities hosted a tree-planting ceremony at Plumstead Gardens, where the first memorial is now in place. They were joined by ward Councillor, Angela Cornforth.  

Local faith leaders and the Plumstead Gardens Friends group were also in attendance. 

The memorial benches, which were partially funded by the European Regional Development Fund’s Welcome Back Fund, will be installed in parks and open spaces across the borough, as a place for residents to remember loved ones and reflect on events of the past two years. They will also serve as a thank you for the tireless efforts of key workers throughout the pandemic. 

Memorials will be placed at: 

Map of locations

Councillor Danny Thorpe, Leader of the Council said:

“Last year, we asked residents to tell us how they would like to commemorate the hundreds of thousands who lost their lives to COVID-19 and remember the wider impact of the pandemic in Royal Greenwich. 

“I am so pleased to now be able to put these memorial benches and trees into place. 

“I encourage residents, friends and colleagues alike to make use of these peaceful spaces, to remember loved ones and reflect on the challenges we have all faced. 

“I hope these memorials will also serve as a thank you to our key workers, a reminder of their hard work, dedication and of the huge adversities each and every one of us have had to overcome.” 

Councillor Adel Khaireh, Cabinet Member for Culture, Communities and Equalities said: 

“Today, we reflected on the events of the past two years and how tough it has been on every one of us. But we were also reminded of the strength, kindness and community spirit that we have seen and continue to see across Royal Greenwich and I am proud that we will now have a reminder of this in parks and open spaces across the borough.”