The ‘Everyday Heroes’ Memorial in the Dr George Rice Community Garden

During Covid, local group @teamimagineers created a beautiful project, with the help of local craftspeople, to carry messages of remembrance for lost loved ones and gratitude to the NHS. One of those involved was Sutton College Ceramics tutor Fay De Winter who created 80 porcelain hearts for the project.

The memorial, led by Jeff Richards Licensed Lay Minister from St Nicholas Church, was officially unveiled on Thursday 23rd March 2023, the National Day of Reflection. It was attended by Mayor of the London Borough of Sutton, Cllr Trish Fivey, Paul Scully MP, the Archdeacon of Reigate amongst others.

The mural is made up of three aluminium heart shaped panels along the brick wall, filled with the handmade ceramic hearts and has been named the ‘Everyday Heroes’ memorial.

Tutor Fay said that being involved in the project was very healing due to a personal loss and it also gave her ‘the opportunity to connect with others via social media, offering to remember their loved ones by including names as requested. This made me call the pieces ‘hearts of hope’ celebrating everyday heroes.’

Fay asked for names of those loved ones who are no longer with us and names were placed on individually designed ceramic hearts as messages of remembrance. She also added that ‘Each day that I go in to work at Sutton College I see the hearts, it reminds me of loved ones and fills me with pride, honour and hope for the future.’

This beautiful project can be seen in the Dr George Rice Community Garden on the footpath by Gibson Road opposite the car park of the Sutton’s Civic Offices. For more information on the developments in this community garden or to get involved, see www.facebook.com/drgeorgericegarden  or contact jeff@suttonfx.com