30/01/2019
North Kensington’s white watch have contributed to a memorial mosaic that recognises the work of the community in the recovery from the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017.
The mosaic represents a flower and the design was unveiled at the memorial service at the base of the tower in June 2018 which marked the one year anniversary of the fire. Since the project began, a number of community groups involved in the immediate response to the fire have chosen a word and designed their own flower petal that has been added to the main flower on the 14th of every month. By 14 June 2019 the mosaic will be complete.
The memorial flower project is a partnership between Al-Manaar, a local mosque and cultural centre in North Kensington and ACAVA (Association for Cultural Advancement through Visual Art). ACAVA is a local group established in 1990 that works with local communities across West London using art to improve mental health and wellbeing.
The partnership approached North Kensington Fire Station in October 2018 and asked if local crews would make the sixth petal of the mosaic. White watch were honoured to take on the challenge and have been supported and helped by the other watches. White watch consulted the community and colleagues at the station and chose the word ‘courage’. Their decision reflected the courage of everyone involved in the aftermath of the fire and the recovery period.
Having chosen their word, white watch spent three two-hour sessions making their petal in their off duty time, with artistic support from ACAVA. Their petal was unveiled in a discreet ceremony on Friday,14 December 2018.
When the mosaic project is complete each petal may be returned to the contributors or form part of the proposed memorial garden. Watch Manager Rob Edwards (white watch) said: “It was a real honour to contribute to such an worthwhile project and an absolute pleasure to see everyone get involved so enthusiastically.”
Borough Commander Spencer Sutcliff added: ”Firefighters at North Kensington and neighbouring stations have represented the Brigade and supported the local community and their colleagues with integrity, sensitivity and professionalism since the fire, often with great courage in difficult circumstances. It was both humbling and an honour to contribute to this amazing project and a further confirmation of the love and mutual support between the local community and their firefighters.”
