COVID-19 memorial in Crawley
Last Thursday (13 November), The Mayor of Crawley, Councillor Sharmila Sivarajah, laid a floral tribute at the new avenue of trees in Memorial Gardens, planted to remember the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the residents of Crawley.
The Mayor was joined by councillors from across the political spectrum, including Leader of the Council, Councillor Michael Jones, Cabinet member for Community Engagement and Culture, Councillor Sue Mullins. Mrs Bhavna Sharma, wife of the former councillor and Mayor, Raj Sharma, who was tragically affected by the illness, also attended the ceremony.
The trees are a variety called Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Slender Sillhouette’ which have star shaped green leaves that transform into blazing reds, oranges, and purples in autumn. The tree’s narrow, upright growth habit makes them ideal to brighten up urban areas.
The avenue is funded and maintained by town centre developers through Section 106 contributions, with the trees being planted and maintained by the council’s tree team.
Councillor Sivarajah said: “Being accompanied by Mrs Bhavna Sharma was a stark reminder of how all of us were touched in some way by the pandemic. This memorial is a living, fitting tribute to the pandemic and reflects the stoic way that Crawley dealt with the difficult conditions that it presented.”
Councillor Sue Mullins said: “We are so pleased at long last to have something in the gardens to remember those we lost after the terrible experiences people had during the pandemic. I really hope this will become a place for those who have lost friends and loved ones to come and sit in quiet contemplation throughout the year.”