A Perth man who lost his wife in the midst of the Covid pandemic will “absolutely” pay his loving respects at one of 11 memorial benches installed across the region.
College librarian John Dare sadly lost the love of his life, Mary, a former care officer, in January 2021 after she suffered a stroke, where he was unable to visit her in hospital.
Shortly afterwards the then 53-year-old attempted to garner support to hold a candlelit vigil that summer and create a permanent memorial site for those who lost their lives during the pandemic.
Since then cemeteries have been handpicked by the council in remembrance of those who sadly lost their lives to the world-changing virus, being unveiled on the third anniversary of the first lockdown (March 23).
“It is a positive thing to have these benches,” John said.
“I think it is becoming too easy to forget about the pandemic and get back to normal.
“You see how quickly we stopped wearing masks. So it is something to remind people.”
When asked if he will visit a local bench to remember his wife, John said: “I will absolutely do that.”
He continued: “I said as Covid hit that it was going to affect everybody in some shape or form.
“You don’t think it will be you. Myself and my family had to deal with the restrictions that were in place at the time. Not being able to speak to her until it was too late – that was the killer.
“I am relieved that it is not just in Perth but has included the whole region. Any form of remembrance is a good thing.”
Since 2020, there have been more than 200,000 coronavirus-related deaths across the UK.
That year the council launched a website collecting the stories of those who lost their lives to Covid, as remembered by their loved ones.
The benches have now been installed in each council ward constituency, giving all residents the chance to pay their respects.
Funding for the remembrance benches was agreed in 2020 and cherry trees and snowdrops have been planted alongside each one.
Leader of the Scottish Conservatives on Perth and Kinross Council, Councillor John Duff, added: “Many families suffered bereavement during the lockdown period, and while not all were due to Covid, the restrictions in place at the time meant that we and the friends of our loved ones weren’t able to properly mourn our loss.
“The National Day of Reflection marks the third anniversary of lockdown and these Covid Memorial benches, trees and spring bulbs will serve as a fitting reminder of them, especially in spring time and provide a quiet and thoughtful place of remembrance.
“The Covid Memorial for the Highland Ward is in Hillhead Cemetery in Logierait.
“It is a lovely spot, looking out across the valley, and once the blossom and spring bulbs are blooming, it will make a fitting place to sit and remember our loved ones.”
The council is also supporting Remembering Together’s plans for community-led Covid memorials in Perth and Kinross.
Local artist Taylor Waggoner has worked with community groups and students at UHI Perth on the design and creation of the memorials, which will be located in a number of sites across Perth and Kinross as part of the project.
More than 140 people took part in the first phase of the project and said they wanted to create memorials, inspired by cairns, that celebrate community togetherness.
The second phase of the project is about to launch and will see recent graduates of Perth UHI create five separate pieces across Perth and Kinross.
Christiana Margiotti, sector development director of Creative and Culture Industries at UHI Perth, said: “People are the central ingredient to any memory, therefore this project must be led by the community. The artists will act as the facilitator translating the collective memories into a symbol that embodies the unique qualities of their own locality and their togetherness.”
The benches are located at each ward namely, Murie Cemetery (Carse of Gowrie), Grampian View Cemetery in Coupar Angus (Strathmore), Blairgowrie Cemetery, Hillhead Cemetery in Logierait (Highland ward), Little Dunkeld Cemetery (Strathtay), Comrie Old Cemetery (Strathearn), Muthill Cemetery Extensions (Strathallan), Kinross North Cemetery (Kinross-shire), Dunbarney Cemetery (Almond and Earn), Jeanfield Cemetery (Perth City South and Centre) and Perth Crematorium (Perth City North).
