London Mayor plants blossom trees in memory of the 18,000 Londoners who have died of Covid-19
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan marked the anniversary of the first national lockdown by planting the final two trees in the London Blossom Garden.
The blossom garden has been created to provide a living memorial to all those who have lost their lives during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Mayor planted the trees yesterday alongside a London bus driver and a senior NHS worker.
The new London Blossom Garden is being created as a lasting, living memorial to Londoners who have lost their lives to COVID-19, as well as to our city's shared experience of the pandemic.
To mark the anniversary of the first lockdown, the two final trees were planted today. pic.twitter.com/lCExrCknO4
— Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) March 23, 2021
Sadiq Khan said: “The pandemic has devastated our city and our country, and as we mark one year since the first national lockdown it’s important that we remember all those who have tragically lost their lives.
“By planting the final trees today in the new London Blossom Garden, we pay tribute to those who have died, honour the efforts of our key workers and reflect on the ongoing impact of Covid-19 on our capital.
“We know that our fight against the virus is not over, but this garden will be a lasting, living reminder of the way Londoners and our country have stood together during these incredibly challenging times.”
So far, more than 18,000 Londoners have died of the virus.
As of March 22, more than 2.9 million Londoners have now received a first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, with a further 219,317 having received a second dose.
The garden, located in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in East London, was designed in partnership with the National Trust and Bloomberg and will open to the public later in the spring.
Locals were consulted on the design of the park, which features 33 blossom trees to represent the 32 London boroughs and the City of London.
Nicola Briggs, Director for London & the South East from the National Trust said: “We hope this garden will give the local communities in particular the space to contemplate the last year, and as it grows and establishes itself, become somewhere that is a symbol of hope.
“This planting is the first of many that we are planning throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland with our aim of bringing more beauty and nature to urban areas so that more people have a space near them where they can simply just ‘be’ and one which can help enhance their wellbeing.”
For more information on the National Trust’s national blossom plantings visit: nationaltrust.org.uk/blossom-watch
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