Lyle Kirk unveil coronavirus memorial outside church

The community at Lyle Kirk in the west end bought the benches thanks to donations from the Provincial Grand Lodge of Renfrewshire West, as well a local donor.

Inverclyde was one of the areas hardest hit following the coronavirus outbreak which began three years ago, with hundreds of deaths.

Reverend Jonathan Fleming said the seats will provide a quiet space for reflection for those who are grieving, and the wider community.

Mr Fleming said: "At the start of the pandemic, most people believed that things would be under control in six weeks or so.

"We had no idea that the time frame would be nearer two years, during which we were only allowed small funeral gatherings.”

The church minister said that the unveiling of the benches came at a fitting moment.

He said: "We were very fortunate that both benches arrived on what has become the National Day of Reflection."

Mr Fleming added that this made it even more poignant, to remember those who weren't given the farewell they deserved.

A fundraising effort was put in place to raise the money for the benches and plaques have been ordered for them.

The Provincial Grand Lodge of Renfrewshire West organised a memorial service at Lyle Kirk in January where a retiring collection was uplifted.

Between that service and an individual contribution, the benches area at the front of the church became possible.

Jimmy Crawford, chairperson of of the Lyle Gateway group which is attached to the church, came up with the idea and the seats were provided by InWork Enterprises in Greenock.

John Williamson Black, provincial grand master for Renfrewshire West, said: "Everyone knows someone, a family member or friend, who has lost someone to Covid, especially in a small place like Inverclyde."

Mr Fleming said: “These benches are very much for the whole community - a place where people can come and watch the world go by and remember their loved ones."