FIERCE LOVE

February 2021

Heartfelt words created by renowned Barnsley poet and broadcaster Ian McMillan shone a message of love on Valentine’s Day – Sunday 14 February.

The words ‘Barnsley’s fierce love will hold you forever in its heart’ appeared in the window of the Library @ the Lightbox in a bright neon installation, designed by local artist Patrick Murphy. Ian McMillan has dedicated the words to Barnsley Council’s Covid Memorial and Tribute to Key Workers Sculpture which was designed and produced by local artist and sculptor Graham

Ibbeson in collaboration with Lockbund Sculpture Foundry. The words were later engraved on the plinth.

Ian said: “I’m very proud that my words will be part of the memorial sculpture and that they’ll be lit up at Library @ the lightbox. Language can shine and illuminate our thoughts and offer us comfort in terrible times, and I hope these words will offer help and inspiration.”

The neon installation was launched along side a series of Covid Memorial engagement activities, starting with Message in a Bottle, which served as a tribute to key workers and unsung heroes and lead to the unveiling of the Covid Memorial and Tribute to Key Workers Sculpture.

The Message in a Bottle initiative was led by Barnsley Museums and focussed around people sharing their experiences of the coronavirus pandemic, by adding their thoughts, feelings or stories to a postcard in the shape of a bottle, designed by local artist Patrick Murphy.

Leader of Barnsley Council, Sir Stephen Houghton CBE said:

“This sculpture and project will represent one of the most challenging times in our history and be a permanent piece that will endure for many decades.

“It will be a key focal point in our new public square and provide a place for people to visit and commemorate those they have lost and remember the incredible efforts of those that worked tirelessly to look after us and keep things going.

“We are very grateful to both Ian and Graham who have offered their time and services for free by way of demonstrating their love and support to Barnsley, its residents and communities at this difficult time in our history.

MP Dan Jarvis said:

“The coronavirus crisis has brought out the best of our formidable Barnsley community spirit.

I’ve heard truly heartwarming stories about the volunteers who have gone above and beyond to support friends and neighbours. The volunteers who are collecting shopping and medications for those who are shielding in their village. The women at ‘For the Love of Scrubs’ who have produced PPE for the frontline. The pub landlord who has cooked hundreds of meals for vulnerable residents.

These are just a few examples of the extraordinary character that exemplifies our coalfield communities.”

A steering group including artist Graham Ibbeson and poet Ian McMillan, together with representatives from the NHS, front line emergency services, key workers and volunteers, oversaw the project to support the creation of something that showed recognition, remembering the people who have lost their lives to the virus and providing a lasting memorial for future generations to visit.

From a town and people that pride themselves on their fierce passion, Barnsley’s spirit and resilience has shone through a very challenging time.

The Covid Memorial and Tribute to Key Workers is Barnsley Council’s way of paying tribute and thanking all those that have kept the borough going, in partnership with representatives from key organisations.