Angela makes her mark on Covid-19 memorial

Retired nurse and carer Angela Moran-Sharpness said she was ‘honoured’ to discover her artwork will feature on a Covid-19 memorial stone at seven crematoria in the south of England.

Westerleigh Group, the UK’s largest independent owner and operator of cemeteries and crematoria, announced last year it planned to create Covid-19 memorial gardens at most of its sites in England, Scotland and Wales.

An open invitation was issued to people of all ages and backgrounds to submit ideas for a design to be etched onto a stone obelisk which will form the centre-piece of each garden.

Westerleigh Group is choosing six designs overall, one for each of its regions, so designers had an opportunity – if they wished – to incorporate something relevant to their region in their entries.

Angela, aged 70, who lives in Gloucestershire, said she decided to enter the competition for a challenge, was both amazed and very happy when he was told hers was one of the six designs chosen.

Her artwork features a pair of forget-me-nots with foliage.

She said: “Nature is my inspiration and I thought flowers would look suitable.

“I was inspired by thinking about people who have sadly died from Covid, and how they mustn’t be forgotten.

“I tried to imagine what would look good on a black granite background.”

She added: “Covid has devastated so many of our loved ones’ lives.

“Hopefully, families and friends can visit the Memorial Gardens and take away a little peace and solace from the lovely surroundings.

“In the midst of darkness, a little light can be found.”

Roger Mclaughlan, Chief Executive Officer of Westerleigh Group, said: “We would like the memorial gardens to provide permanent, tranquil places for people to visit to remember loved ones who lost their lives during the pandemic and also to remember and reflect on those who have sacrificed so much to help others during the coronavirus crisis. 

“We decided early on that we wanted local people to help shape how the gardens would look, so that each of them would become something of real significance to our local communities.

“We were overwhelmed by the creativity shown by the many people who submitted their imaginative designs and the judging process was a moving experience as it was clear that a lot of heartfelt thought had been put into each entry.

“I would like to congratulate Angela for her winning design and am looking forward to seeing how it looks in the memorial gardens at our crematoria in the south of England.”

Angela’s design will be etched onto the black polished granite stone monuments which will be placed in the memorial gardens at Westerleigh Group’s North Wiltshire, West Wiltshire, Test Valley, Wessex Vale, Aylesbury Vale and West Berkshire crematoria.

Westerleigh Group hopes to install the Covid-19 memorials at all its sites during June, ready to open for the public to visit in July.