Published: Tuesday, 23rd March 2021
We’re asking all residents to join in the National Day of Reflection on Tuesday 23 March to mark one year on since the start of the first UK lockdown.
The National Day of Reference encourages everyone to:
- reflect on all that’s happened in the past year
- remember the hundreds of thousands of people who have died in the UK from COVID-19, and
- recognise the progress that has been made in the fight against this deadly virus.
At 12 noon, please join in a one-minute silence to honour loved ones, friends and colleagues who have died and reflect on the challenges we have overcome.
At 8pm, please shine a torch or candle from your window or doorway to light up the sky as a beacon of remembrance and hope for a brighter future - and share how you are marking the day on social media using hashtag #DayOfReflection.
The council will also be launching a survey to ask residents for their thoughts on how to commemorate those who lost their lives to COVID-19 and remember the wider impact of the pandemic in Royal Greenwich.
Councillor Danny Thorpe, Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich said: “It’s been an extremely difficult year for so many of us, and we are all facing challenges during the pandemic which has turned our lives upside down.
“I encourage everyone to take a moment out of our busy lives to reflect on the enormous impact, and to think about those who have tragically lost their lives due to the virus. Please also take some time to complete the survey to tell us what kind of memorial you would like our borough to have.
“I’d also like to reflect on the positives we are seeing. From the community spirit that’s sprung up across all corners of Royal Greenwich, the countless residents who are dedicating their time and energy to food shopping for those shielding, to those volunteering at COVID-19 testing and vaccination centres and other community projects. I am enormously proud of our Community Champions, those people making donations to local initiatives such as Project Hope, to everyone clapping to show appreciation for our carers. It's shown me that even when things are very dark, it's possible to find moments of light.”
Many people will be observing the minute's silence privately, but we can also come together virtually by watching a video message from Leader of the Council and key partners from across the borough.