The inspirational Remembering Together community project consists of five stunning labyrinths which have been created across Inverclyde. They stretch from Kilmacolm to Wemyss Bay, with Greenock, Port Glasgow and Gourock in between. Karen Orr, of RIG Arts, who was heavily involved in the project along with artist Alan Potter and Walk As One, worked together on the final stage, responding to the initial consultation, said: " Karen said: "RIG Arts were honoured to be a part of the Remembering Together project through the creative community consultation phase with artists Carolan MacPherson, Sam McGregor and Seamus Killick, into the co-creation stage working with Walk as One volunteers and artist Alan Potter.
" I'm really proud to see the five labyrinths completed in sites across Inverclyde and I hope that local people and visitors will benefit from engaging with them. "I love that they function on different levels. They can be used for reflection in a spiritual way, as intended, but also people of all ages can enjoy interacting with them and they look great in the landscape.
" The project was part of a national initiative funded by the Scottish Government and Greenspace Scotland. Karen said: "Each local authority in 32 areas across Scotland worked with artists during a consultation phase in 2022 to find out what local people wanted. "We spoke to a cross-section of people, around 600, and the upshot was that it shouldn't be one thing in particular.
"Tying in with Covid restrictions was the theme of staying local. People thought it should be in each main area, different but connected, using existing green space, and be interactive. "A lot of people spoke about things being broken into fragments and wanted a way to re-build.
"RIG Arts took part in the second phase and we worked alongside Walk As One, who had an interest in labyrinths. It was a great fit, people worked from the past, to the present and the future. "We also worked alongside Alan Potter.
"It functions on so many different levels, as a spiritual place for healing and reflection, to just kids running round. "There are different entry points and they also look so beautiful in the landscape." The memorial was launched at the Port Glasgow labyrinth, called Hope, at Coronation Park.
Laurie Peterson, from Walk as One, led the group, showing them how the labyrinth could work for them, and people were encouraged to paint stones. There was hot soup from Rambling Recipes, too, to keep people warm. Inverclyde Council's leader, Councillor Stephen McCabe, also attended, and Karen said she wanted to thank the council for its support in helping to identify sites and giving permissions.
The other labyrinths are Love, located in Wellpark in Greenock; Joy, in Gourock Park; Courage, at Wemyss Bay Community Centre; and Peace, at Birkmyre Park in Kilmacolm..
