Remembering Together North Lanarkshire has come to a close

The North Lanarkshire memorial in Strathclyde Country Park was officially opened in October 2024. Toby Nevitt writes:

We were pleased to welcome some of the 200 local people who worked with our artists, John Martin Fulton and Russell McGovern, to create the artworks which inspired the gathering space representing people’s memories and experiences before, during and after the Covid pandemic. We were also joined by our “community gardeners”, representatives from communities across North Lanarkshire who braved March downpours to plant the trees surrounding the space. Following in their footprints attendees at the launch scattered wildflower seeds to create biodiverse habitat.

The area recognises the challenges everyone experienced and the lives lost during the pandemic, while also reflecting the community spirit and kindness shown by people helping each other during the difficult times. In communities across North Lanarkshire during the pandemic, people helped family members, friends, neighbours and often strangers to cope with the restrictions we all faced, and that thoughtfulness and community spirit, along with the memories and experiences of people, are reflected in the design of the space, which is brought to life by steel art panels created by artist-blacksmith Agnes Jones.

During the design process, people said that one of the things they missed most during lockdown was meeting friends and family, so this new Gathering Space provides a restful, positive place surrounded by greenspace and with a lovely view over Strathclyde Loch.

The North Lanarkshire Community Choir provided a rousing chorus of “Over the Rainbow”, a fitting tribute as Provost, Cllr Kenneth Duffy, and Convener of Environment and Climate Change Committee, Cllr Helen Loughran, officially opened the Gathering Space.

For more information on Remembering Together in North Lanarkshire, visit North Lanarkshire Council