A new Memorial Garden has been unveiled at Crewe Cemetery - in memory of loved ones who were lost during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Earlier this afternoon (April 19), the Crewe Town Mayor, Cllr Tom Dunlop, officially opened the 'Pandemic Memorial Garden' to the public.

Crewe Town Council has donated £4,000 of funding towards the garden and two memorial benches.

Between 2020 to 2021, restrictions were in place that severely limited the numbers allowed to attend funerals and acts of remembrance.

The Pandemic Memorial Garden was officially opened by Crewe Town Mayor, Cllr Tom Dunlop.

As a result, many families and loved ones felt that they had not been able to pay their respects as they would have wished and were unable to mourn for those that had passed.

The proposal for the Memorial Garden was put forward by Cllr Dunlop, who felt it was important for people within the Crewe community to have a space to sit peacefully, reflect and remember their loved ones.

As he formally opened the Garden, Cllr Dunlop said: "Funerals are a celebration of a person's life, but people didn't get the opportunity to say goodbye and no farewell words were spoken.

"I sincerely hope that people will come and sit on these benches and remember and talk about those people they lost."

Crewe Town Council donated £4,000 of funding towards the garden and two memorial benches at Crewe Cemetery.

A prayer of dedication was given by Reverend A.J. Jeynes of St. Michael's Coppenhall, before the ribbon was cut by the Mayor.

The Garden is a positive addition to Crewe and recognises the need to mark the loss of loved ones during exceptional times.

Crewe residents have reacted very positively to this new addition for their town on social media.

Former House Manager at Crewe Lyceum Theatre, David Owen, told Nub News: "I was in the cemetery recently and noticed that work was being carried out.

"Yesterday (April 18), I had a look at the finished memorial garden and thought that a very good site had been chosen near to the Rose garden. I thought how smart it looked.

A close-up of one of the new memorial benches at Crewe Cemetery.

"No doubt a great many will enjoy sitting in the garden and reflecting on the events of the past two years, remembering those who were not able to have a funeral - which they would have wanted."

The memorial garden was created by the Orbitas team at Crewe Cemetery, who will also be responsible for its ongoing maintenance.

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