Covid memorial bell to ring for the first time

A bell created as a memorial to people who died in the Covid-19 pandemic will ring for the first time next month.

The Hope Bell has been installed in Queen's Park, in Loughborough, as a tribute to those who lost their lives and as a thank you to NHS staff and key workers.

Members of the public have been invited to attend its official unveiling at a ceremony at 10:30 BST on 4 July.

The bell was cast at John Taylor and Co - the UK's last major bell foundry, which is based in the town.

The bell, part of a 7.5m (24.6ft) tall structure, features four smaller bells supported by four steel pillars to symbolise people coming together to embrace.

The £560,000 memorial was commissioned by Charnwood Borough Council and paid for with money from the Loughborough Town Deal, which secured £16.9m from the government's Towns Fund to go towards 11 projects.

It was installed in September.

Jennifer Tillotson, the council's lead member for housing, economic development, regeneration and town centres, said: "The Hope Bell will serve as a place of reflection in Charnwood for decades to come, and the official unveiling will be a historic moment.

"It is important to share this with representatives from organisations across the borough who played such a key role in the community during the pandemic, as well as residents that were directly affected."

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