Leicestershire to reflect on 'long twelve months' since first lockdown

People are being encouraged to join a minutes silence at 12pm and light up their doorsteps in the evening.

Flags on public buildings will be lowered to half mast to remember the 2,380 people who have died from COVID-19 in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, as well as over 120,000 people who've passed away from the virus nationally. 

Much of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland have spent the past year under the highest level of restrictions.

In the evening, council buildings will be lit, just as they were during the first lockdown last year to thank all key workers, particularly those working in the NHS and in social care.   
 

In Charnwood, a candle will be lit at the Carillon in Queen’s Park. The carillon  will be played on the day. 

There's also a book of memories on the council website for people to post their experiences of the past 12 months.  

In the evening, Leicester Cathedral will host a virtual service with representatives from NHS, councils, police as well as bereaved families. 

The CEO of Leicestershire Partnership Trust, the body which manages Hinckley and Bosworth Community Hospital as well as Loughborough Hospital and many others, Angela Hillery, paid tribute to all health workers for their efforts this year.

"It's clear to me everyone has been a hero... stepping up and staying as committed as they have been throughout this makes everyone a hero in my eyes."

County council leader, Nick Rushton said: "Life was turned on its head last March. The tremendous efforts of all key workers - particularly in health, care, police, schools, as well as supermarkets and logistics - have kept us going. I want to thank everyone who has worked day and night this year."
 
Leicester City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: “Our thoughts are with all of those who have lost family members and loved ones over the past year, and our thanks go to everyone who has worked tirelessly to care for others and keep life going.  It has been an incredibly difficult time and we are by no means out of it yet, but we can now start to look forward with hope.”
 
Andy Williams, chief executive of the NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups, added: “Words cannot really describe the efforts of the health workforce, and volunteers, in facing this pandemic. I'm reflecting on lives lost, and all those lives which have been changed this year. 
 
“I also want to thank those who’ve helped to vaccinate huge numbers of people so far across the city, county and Rutland. Every vaccine given is a symbol of hope and recovery. It’s not over yet – but we can look to the future now.”

A tree-lined memorial walk at Watermead Country Park will be formally opened this spring.
 
The joint city and county council project has the backing of local people and businesses, who supported the memorial walk through a crowdfunding campaign. 
 
The linear walk will provide a place for reflection and remembrance for all those whose lives have been disrupted by the pandemic.