Wind and rain didn’t spoil the solemn celebrations in the Olympic Park on May 24^th as London’s Mayor Sadiq Khan and other civic and community leaders formally opened London’s Blossom Garden – a memorial to all those in London who have died from Covid-19.

Khan was joined by Newham’s Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz as he paid tribute to the role of health and other keyworkers in the pandemic.

He also took the opportunity to focus on the social crisis looming after the lockdown ends and pledged to support Newham’s recovery plans.

Newham has been particularly badly hit by the coronavirus crisis and, as reported on Page One, faces the prospect of job losses and a spike in homelessness as the pandemic ban on evictions and the government furlough scheme ends later this year.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan with the Rosetta Arts Team, that was commissioned to deliver community workshops with the aim to inform the design of the garden. © Sylvie Belbouab

No news is bad news

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.

The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.

Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.

Monthly direct debit

Annual direct debit

£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else.