Remembering Grenfell: New Memorial Plans Unveiled

“Forever In Our Hearts”, Source: BBC

The 14th of June is marked as a tragic day for Britain. On that date almost 6 years ago, 72 died in a traumatic fire in Grenfell Tower, North Kensington. The blaze raged for 60 hours, its pace heavily exacerbated by faulty cladding that was erected “willingly”.

Since then, survivors have been yearning for healing. Soon after the disaster, the Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission was established in order to steer efforts to reshape the ruins. Despite their work, the building’s derelict remains are currently still covered by the same plastic wrap, emblazoned with a green heart and the slogan: “Forever in Our Hearts”.
On November 15th, the Commission published its second extensive report. With the consultation of over 2000 people that included survivors, the local council and other community stakeholders, it established a concrete vision for the site’s future. 

Most prominently, it ensured no housing redevelopments would take place. Instead, it imagines a monument that encourages “peace and remembrance” and a sense of “community and love”. Central to the cause is similarly the “need for justice”, referencing the governmental inquiry into  the fire’s causes that is currently in its second phase.

Several features for a possible memorial have also been named. In an homage to sites dedicated to the remembrance of the September 11th attacks in New York, respondents have emphasized the use of light, water and inscriptions of the victims’ names as desired elements for the future design. The selection of a final blueprint is expected to happen in late 2025, with construction taking place shortly after in 2026.

However, there are still uncertainties around certain aspects. No decision has been made around ownership and nor has the government confirmed to fund construction. Despite this, the Commission and the North Kensington community hope to put an end to the chapter of Grenfell Tower soon, fully moving on towards alleviating the psychological aftereffects of the tragedy.

But the events which unfolded on the 14th of June 2017 might not be a one-off. Just 2 weeks ago, residents of Barton House, an apartment building in Bristol, were evacuated with no notice after it had been discovered that concrete in the building’s structure was improperly fitted, making a potential fire catastrophic. Facing a plague of aging, clumsily-built housing, will the government act or risk another Grenfell-like catastrophe?