Last updated at 12:28, Wednesday, 21 January 2009

A FAMILY say they can move on with their lives after paying respects to a loved one at a memorial garden to Barrow’s Legionnaires’ Disease victims.

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Seven people died and 172 were infected after deadly bacteria leaked out of the Barrow Borough Council-run arts centre, Forum 28, in summer 2002.

Now more than six years on from the tragedy, a garden of remembrance has been created at St George’s Church, Barrow.

And friends and family members of the seven victims gathered yesterday at the official unveiling of the memorial garden.

They were joined by Barrow Mayor, Councillor Dave Roberts, and Mayoress Pauline Coats.

Reverend Gary Weston led a short service in the memorial garden.

George and Sarah Miles, husband and daughter of Legionnaires’ victim June, said the service gave them a some sense of closure.

Mr Miles, of Schneider Road, Barrow, said: “I’ve been fed up, it’s nearly seven years. But let’s hope it’s all over now and let it rest. We’re just trying to get on with our lives now.”

Mr Miles said the garden has been located in a fitting place, both for his family and the wider community.

He said: “I’ve got a lot to do with this church. It’s a nice church and was my local church before St Luke’s. I used to live down Roose way.

“It’s a nice square and it’s handy enough for people in the town.

“I wouldn’t personally have liked it in the centre of town and not outside the town hall. Here, it’s not far to walk for people to come and pay their respects.”

Cllr Roberts, accompanied by the mayoress, laid a wreath and said he had been assured the garden is a place “where the sun always shines”.

He said: “We have been looking for somewhere appropriate for a long time now. After discussions with Reverend Jane Nattrass she suggested that we could possibly have a garden remembrance here.

“It’s finally come together but it has taken a long time and for that we apologise.

“But we just hope it will give some comfort to the families and give them somewhere to come and remember. And also for the people of Barrow, who now have a place to come and pay their respects.”

Mr Weston, assistant priest at St George’s, said: “It’s a privilege to be able to provide this space so that people have got somewhere to come and spend some time with their thoughts.

“The garden will be here long into the future and it’s a pleasure to serve the community with this space.”

First published at 11:51, Wednesday, 21 January 2009
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk