Heart-warming messages left out for refuse collectors who worked through the Covid pandemic and national lockdowns are due to go on display at a museum exhibition.
More than 30 pictures and notes were collected and kept by bin crews in Bury. Many were drawn by children and attached to wheelie bins left outside homes on collection days as a touching thank you to the frontline workers.
"You are my heroes," says one youngster on a handwritten note accompanied by a drawing of a rainbow and a love heart. Another note including dozens of love hearts exclaims 'not all heroes wear capes...thank you'.
Council bosses in Bury say the collection will form part of a summer exhibition being developed by Bury Art Museum to tell the story of Covid and lockdowns across the town. The pictures and notes were all drawn and written by residents in Bury and left on wheelie bins during the first lockdown of 2020.
At the time, the Manchester Evening News reported on the dozens of personal messages being left out for bin crews to show appreciation for their hard work during the coronavirus outbreak.
The pictures and notes were donated to the museum by binman Paul Lindsey who, along with his wagon colleagues Mick Wilkinson and Dave Edwards, were touched by the many expressions of thanks shown to them.
The museum's exhibition is also set to showcase official Government Covid literature of the time and other artefacts of the pandemic.
Donna Ball, executive director of operations at Bury council, said: "Our front line operational staff are out in all weathers at all times: gritting our roads, emptying our bins, digging our graves, cleaning our streets.
"The list is endless and they are often overlooked in the public service arena for messages of thanks. I was utterly delighted during the pandemic to see so many of our residents placing signs out on their bins for our bin men who kept going each day under social distancing conditions.
"I thank all the front line staff at Bury Council for their efforts both now and then."
A council spokesperson said: "The notes form part of a wider collection that the gallery is developing to tell the story of the Covid pandemic in Bury. So far this includes items relating to the Bury, Rochdale & Oldham Scrubs Hub, which tells the story of women in the community coming together to make scrubs for nurses and health care workers at the beginning of the pandemic.
"Three dolls made by a lady from Prestwich as her way to keep busy and see her through. A butterfly picture by a five-year-old girl called Imogen, which she put up in her window to thank NHS staff.
"And Government-related literature that was posted through people's doors, along with testing kits and masks. The gallery is also in the process of acquiring a contemporary artwork print - 'Key Workers Print' by Craig Oldham."
Councillor Charlotte Morris, Bury council's cabinet member for culture and the economy, said: "Covid was immensely challenging but also brought out the best of people. It’s fantastic that these items have been collected in our archive for future generations to see and learn from."
The council said the donations would be exhibited in the summer, but can be viewed by appointment at the gallery now.
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