Vandals destroyed a Covid memorial in Shaw town centre gardens on the fifth anniversary of Britain’s first coronavirus lockdown, leaving local officials and residents appalled.

The commemorative display in Shaw Memorial Park, established in 2020 to honour pandemic victims from Shaw and Crompton, suffered extensive damage when unknown perpetrators targeted the memorial plaque, bench and tree this week.

Coun Louie Hamblett, Liberal Democrat representative for Crompton ward, expressed devastation at the destruction. “Someone has gone out their way to target a dedicated memorial that thanks our hard-working NHS and blue light services during one of the challenging times since the second world war,” Hamblett said.

The councillor, who served as vice chair of the Parish Council when the memorial was created, recalled inviting Royal Oldham Hospital ward sister Rachel Diskin and ward clerk Alyson Hopkinson—both of whom treated Covid patients throughout the pandemic—to sit on the memorial bench and share their experiences. “It was always a hope, and still is, that many people can sit and enjoy the gardens and take a moment to reflect in their own way on the pandemic,” Hamblett added, urging the parish council to restore the memorial to its original condition.

The memorial originated from a council motion during the pandemic to express gratitude for key workers across the NHS and social care system who served at great personal risk during lockdown. Social media groups have erupted with outrage over the vandalism as authorities work to identify those responsible.

---

Source: Read original article