A memorial plaque to remember those who died and were affected by the Covid-19 pandemic was unveiled in Ferryside, Carmarthenshire this weekend (Saturday, 31st May 2025) by members of the Ferryside Village Forum and local Member of Parliament, Dame Nia Griffith.
Situated in the community garden at the Calon y FferiCommunity Centre, the memorial is part of a project that began in Autumn 2021 to transform the then vacant land into a useable open space for members of the local community to enjoy.
At the suggestion of Jean James, a trustee of Ferryside Village Forum, it was decided to create a special space in the garden to sit in the calm, quietness of nature to remember those who died and were affected by Covid.
A silver birch tree was sourced and planted by trustee Richard Harding who, along with Mark Harwood aided by the resources of Ferryside Men’s Sheds designed and constructed a circular oak bench which hugs the tree to provide a place for quiet contemplation.
Another Forum volunteer, Richard White, designed and mounted a slate plaque which has a beautiful Haiku written by Jean inscribed upon it. The plaque was unveiled in a special ceremonyled by trustees of Ferryside Village Forum, local MP for the areaDame Nia Griffith and “The Ferryside Piper” Rick Lines.
The Haiku reads:
Coed Coffa Covid
Covid Memorial Tree
Yr ydym yn dod i eistedd mewn tawelwch.
Ein gwreiddiau yn dal eiliadau daearol.
Yr ydym, am byth, wedi ein huno mewn cariad.
We come to sit in quietness
Our roots holding earthly memories
We are, forever, joined in love.
Fforwm Pentref Glanyfferi 2020
Ferryside Village Forum 2020
In addition to setting up the Community Garden and Covid Memorial, Ferryside Village Forum, a charity set up by local people back in 2007, promotes wellbeing, awareness of community, sustainability and renewable energy as well providing recreational facilities for resident of Ferryside and the surrounding areas.
They run a community market held on the last Saturday of the month from April to September and a popular Christmas Market in December, fortnightly table tennis sessions and manage raised bed allotments available to rent for local people to grow their own produce. Funds raised through the markets are distributed back into the local community and the Forum has also been instrumental in aiding the development of the Calon y FferiCommunity Centre, raising thousands of pounds to fund the rewiring, heating and lighting of the big hall at the Centre as well as developing the outside space into a Community Garden where the Covid Memorial Tree and bench is now sited.
Lucy Evans, Chair of Ferryside Village Forum said:
“The plaque is an important way to ensure that those who lost their lives during Covid are not forgotten. For many, it was a hugely emotional and life-changing time and this will be a lasting memorial for the community of Ferryside to visit whenever they need to take a moment or two to reflect.
This ceremony is the culmination of a great deal of effort, time and dedication and I would like to thank everyone who has played a part in this project and in the ongoing work of FerrysideVillage Forum.”
Dame Nia Griffith, Member of Parliament for Llanelli, added:
“It was a privilege to unveil this memorial which commemorateseveryone affected by Covid and the difficulties that the pandemic brought for many people.
This occasion is also a timely reminder of how communities can come together in the face of adversity to help and support each other. Ferryside Village Forum have done themselves proud in ensuring we never forget those who were sadly lost during that time.”
