The first of 23 Greenwich memorial benches dedicated to residents who lost their lives during the Covid pandemic has been opened.

The benches are being installed in parks and spaces across the borough, as places for residents to remember loved ones and reflect on the past two years.

Today, Danny Thorpe, leader of Greenwich Council, led a tree-planting ceremony at Plumstead Gardens, where the first memorial is now in place.

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 and remember the wider impact of the pandemic in Royal Greenwich.

This Is Local London: groups Local faith leaders, councillors and community groups attended (Greenwich Council)groups Local faith leaders, councillors and community groups attended (Greenwich Council)

“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.”

A memorial bench installed on King George’s Field, Kidbrooke, outside Greenwich Cemetery, was stolen late on Monday (February 14), just days after it was installed.

The incident has been reported to police, and the council is appealing for witnesses to come forward.

According to the UK Health Security Agency, 604 people have died of Covid in Greenwich since the pandemic began, 209 people per 100,000 residents.

Cllr Thorpe was joined by Cllr Adel Khaireh, cabinet member for culture, communities and equalities, ward councillor Angela Cornforth, local faith leaders and the Plumstead gardens friends group.

The benches were partially funded by the European regional development fund’s welcome back fund.

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.”

Memorials will be place at:

  • Eltham Park South
  • Charlotte Turner Gardens
  • The Point (Blackheath)
  • Thames Path (North Greenwich)
  • Birchmere Park
  • King George’s Field
  • St Mary’s Gardens
  • Sutcliffe Park
  • Plumstead Gardens
  • Horn Park
  • Bostall Heath
  • Fairy Hill Park
  • Mycenae Gardens
  • Plumstead Common
  • Hornfair Park
  • Shrewsbury Park
  • Maryon Park
  • GallionsPark
  • East Greenwich Pleasaunce
  • Maribor Park
  • Well Hall Pleasaunce
  • Academy Road Open Space
  • OxleasMeadow