Covid memorials commissioned for every Norfolk parish and town

A plaque has been designed by a Norwich arts student.

Author: Abi SimpsonPublished 28th Sep 2021

Plaques which will recognise the work of communities across Norfolk during the Covid-19 pandemic have been commissioned for every local parish and town.

Lady Dannatt, Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant for Norfolk, has commissioned the plaques which will be given to every town and parish council so they have a permanent reminder of the efforts of communities during the pandemic.

They've been designed by Ruby Douglass, a recent graduate from Norwich University of the Arts, with the wording from a team at Norwich's National Centre for Writing.

Ruby said: "The design relies heavily on the lettering traditionally associated with memorialising events and people. The style of lettering and shape of the plaque were chosen as a visual way to celebrate the community overcoming such a difficult year.”

The team at Norwich’s National Centre for Writing, led by Chris Gribble, researched a number of options and finally put forward the inspiring words of the Norfolk-born sociologist, Harriet Martineau:

‘Live your best and act your best and think your best today.’

Lady Dannatt said: “Many of the Deputy Lieutenants in Norfolk experienced at first hand the work of their local community during the height of the pandemic. A small group of them came together for this project and have worked through every stage to this point where every parish and town council can now receive their plaque and I am very grateful for their time and commitment.”

Deputy Lieutenants closest to each parish or town will distribute the plaques over the coming months.

The cost of the project has been covered by generous sponsorship from Adnams, the Red Socks Charitable Trust, the Geoffrey Watling Charity, the Pennycress Trust, the Kip and Alison Bertram Trust and the Sybil Cholmondeley Trust.

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