Jonathon Blake to help unveil UK AIDS Memorial Quilt panel in Runcorn

A powerful cultural exhibition, running 23 February - 9 March, will honour those lost to the AIDS crisis in Runcorn later this month, with a rare public display of a panel from the UK AIDS Memorial Quilt. The launch of the exhibition will be held at St Andrew’s Church Linkway, Runcorn (WA7 5EJ) on Saturday, 28 February, from 2pm to 5pm, offering the community a poignant opportunity to reflect on the lives commemorated through this national treasure.

The launch event’s special guest and keynote speaker will be Jonathon Blake, patron of Northwest HIV Support CIC and one of Britain’s longest‑surviving people living with HIV. Blake, who became widely known following the film Pride, has spent decades campaigning for LGBTQ+ rights, HIV awareness, and the preservation of queer history. His presence is expected to be a highlight of the afternoon, bringing personal insight into the significance of the quilt and the stories stitched into it.

The UK AIDS Memorial Quilt stands as one of the most important community art projects of its time. Each panel, crafted by loved ones and activists, serves as a memorial to individuals lost, as well as a reminder of the discrimination and stigma faced by the LGBTQ+ community. Exhibitions of the quilt remain rare due to its fragility, making the Runcorn showing a significant moment for local residents and visitors alike.

Alongside the exhibition and Blake’s address, the afternoon will feature performances from Hart’s n Voices choir, Kelly Creswell, John Bostock, and more local talent. The event aims to blend remembrance with celebration of resilience, community, and ongoing activism.

Refreshments will be provided, and organisers hope the afternoon will foster both reflection and connection, particularly for younger LGBTQ+ people who may be encountering the story of the quilt for the first time.