Stoke-on-Trent reflects on two years since first covid lockdown

A service of reflection took place in Stoke-on-Trent's Garden of Reflection on Wednesday to mark the second anniversary of the first national coronavirus lockdown.

Leaders, officials and people from across the city attended the event at Fenton Park to recognise lives lost due to the coronavirus and families that had been impacted by the disease.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council joined with the Beth Johnson Foundation and Friends of Fenton Park to dedicate six more benches in the garden.

Each bench includes a symbolic word along with a flower image that will be unveiled on plaques and are as follows:

The four benches on the top level of the garden: Hope, Respect, Strength and Trust and the benches on the bottom level: Reflection and Unity.

Attendees included the Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire Ian Dudson, Stoke-on-Trent Lord Mayor Dr Chandra Kanneganti and council leader Abi Brown, who in turn reflected on the past two years.

Rev Geoff Eze conducted the service with empowering and comforting words and blessed the benches one-by-one in a circular walking route around the garden.

Sue Read, chief executive of the Beth Johnson Foundation, spoke of the support bereaved families received through the foundation, in the 50th year of the charity.

March 23 is the National Day of Reflection

Last year, to mark the first anniversary, the then Lord Mayor unveiled and formally recognised the Garden of Reflection and dedicated a bench to Sir Captain Tom Moore, along with planting of fruit trees in the garden.

A second bench was dedicated to the memory of local headteacher Gareth Jones in July 2021.

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