Walk of Hearts and Stars to celebrate and remember Knowle Westers

A Walk of Hearts and Stars is to be created on Filwood Broadway – to celebrate local people in Knowle West and remember those who have died during Covid-19.

It will be replacing the popular annual award ceremony, organised by and held at Filwood Community Centre, to mark local volunteers’ achievements and find the area’s “hidden heroes”.

Like the usual Hearts and Stars event, residents will be involved in putting forward names from the community.

Nominations of local people are being sought for two categories:

Hearts: To commemorate the lives of Knowle Westers lost during the crisis and unable to have a funeral or memorial.

Stars: To celebrate the efforts of volunteers and others going above and beyond to make a difference and support the local community.

But this year, a group of local people are also being recruited to help design and make the hearts and stars to be displayed in the area.

It is hoped to be able to launch the Walk of Hearts and Stars this autumn, to be showcased on Filwood Broadway – but also as a wider creative trail across Knowle West. 

Fiona Dowling from KWMC: The Factory said the event was particularly important “during this difficult and unprecedented crisis.”

She explained: “We’re teaming up with the organisers of the Hearts and Stars Awards and reimagining this event for 2020, as part of the Filwood Fantastic project.

“Over the summer, The Factory will be working closely with local people to co-design and make the Walk of Hearts & Stars, showcasing people’s talents in knitting, sewing and crochet to make the hearts, and working with Art & Energy to explore light-up solar panel art for the stars through online workshops and at-home making…”

To make a nomination and upload a photo join the Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/308379980175027

Anyone who would like to help design and make the hearts and stars should contact Fiona Dowling at fiona@kwmc.org.uk