Remembering Together Renfrewshire is coming to a close

Commissioned artists and makers, have embarked on an extensive process of co-creation with the wider Renfrewshire community to create a memorial that authentically reflects the experiences of residents, and creates a lasting space of gathering for future generations. Artist and Producer, Philippa Tomlin has been working alongside collaborators Karen Herbison and Craig McCulloch to respond to community engagement, and create sites for the Renfrewshire Community that provide rest and reflection whilst also giving space for stories to be told and new things to grow. From October 2022 to March 2023, they reached out to over 330 residents in the Renfrewshire community with creative sessions and conversation about what a Covid memorial means to our community; ensuring to reflect the diversity of lockdown experiences had by unheard voices.

“It will be a place where you can sit It will be a place where something new can grow It will be a place to tell stories It will be a place of permanence and future history.”

The design will consists of sculptural benches with planting located in Erskine and Kilbarchan designed by Sculpture House.

At Erskine, the bench will form part of a new Sound Garden, where the planting and sculptural interventions are focused on creating a rich aural texture for the site. The bench will be positioned at the top of a gentle slope, with glimpses of the River Clyde through established trees in the distance.

Surrounding the bench will be the Sound Garden, including sculptures designed by Laura Aldridge to work in sympathy with the bench. Low-maintenance plants that create interesting sounds (as well as interesting textures and colours) will populate the space and gradually create a sense of enclosure and peace

At Kilbarchan, the bench will be sited on the Cycle Path, at a point just West of the remains of Kilbarchan Station with a view between established trees across farmland and towards distant hills. The planting at Kilbarchan will be selected to be zero-maintenance and to work well in a semi-wild setting. The proposed plants include fruit trees, dog roses and naturalising daffodil bulbs.

Both benches will feature short text pieces developed with local communities. These will be added to the back rest panels as an enamel transfer and fired into the surface for longevity. It is hoped that these will form a (literally) poetic explanation of the benches’ memorial intentions, without the need for a didactic inscription.

The woks should be installed by spring 2025.

The line of questioning focused on what the community would like to remember, like to forget and ideas for what Renfrewshire may want and need as a memorial to Covid and lockdown. The key groups engaged with were: Turning Point, Star Project, Linwood Library (Woman’s Mental Health and Care Home Support group), Renfrewshire Autism and Neurodiversity Group, Erskine Hospital, Care Home Staff and Residents, Mosswood Care home, Gleniffer High School, St Margaret’s Primary School.  As well as public drop ins and sessions at Braehead, University of West Of Scotland, Station 7, Erskine Community Gardens and Erskine Arts.