New Covid bell memorial installed in town's park

A memorial to people who died in the Covid-19 pandemic has been installed in a Leicestershire park almost two years after its inception.

The Hope Bell was constructed in Queen's Park, in Loughborough, on Tuesday as a tribute to those who lost their lives and a thank you to NHS staff and key workers.

The 7.5m (24.6ft) tall structure features five bells supported by four steel pillars, which symbolise people coming together to embrace in a hug.

The town's John Taylor & Co, the UK's last major bell foundry, made the bell as part of Charnwood Borough Council's multi-million pound scheme to improve the town.

Foundations for the Hope Bell were put in place over the summer and the seven-and-a-half tonne metal structure - including the pillars and bells - were delivered and installed in the park on Tuesday.

The memorial also features a band of gold-coloured aluminium wrapped around the top, encircling the bells, with a poem inscribed around the band.

The council said a light-coloured stone base and other landscaping were due to be added in the coming weeks.

Power to operate the bells will be added to make them chime after the installation is completed by October.

Jennifer Tillotson, the council's lead member for economic development, regeneration and town centres, said it was an "important feature" in the park.

"A place for reflection and people to acknowledge what we all went through, but most importantly for the people who lost their lives and the people who fought hard to save lives," she said.

She added the bell would also "celebrate the town's unique bell-making heritage and mark an important moment in our history".

Anne Gray, lead member for open spaces at the authority, added: "It is going to be a wonderful addition to the park and will become a place where people can visit to remember loved ones."

The installation, costing £560,000, is part of the council's lanes and links project, which aims to better connect the park and the town centre.

It was funded by Loughborough Town Deal, which secured £16.9m from the government's Towns Fund to go towards 11 projects to develop the town.

Follow BBC Leicester on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.