LIGHT UP
National Day of Reflection: Brits light up doorsteps with candlelit vigil to mark 1-year since Covid lockdown
BRITS up and down the country last night stood in reflection as they marked one year on from the first Covid lockdown.
Doorsteps were lit up with candlelight at 8pm as households remembered the 126,000 Brits who have lost their lives to the bug.
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Boris Johnson led tributes on Tuesday to those who have died from Covid and vowed better days are ahead as he prepares to ease lockdown next week.
At midday, the nation also held a minute's silence in honour of what will now be known as the National Day of Reflection.
And at 8pm, households took to their doorsteps to "light up the night" with a further minute's silence.
Britain's skyline turned yellow as landmarks including the London Eye, Trafalgar Square and Wembley Stadium lit up at nightfall.
Elsewhere, Liverpool Town Hall, Blackpool Tower and St Mary's Lighthouse shone a light for those bereaved, alongside the Lincoln Cathedral.
Joining them were parliaments and assemblies in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, as well as Cardiff's University and City Hall, Belfast's Titanic Building and City Hall, and Edinburgh's St Andrew's House.
Churches and cathedrals had also planned to toll bells, light thousands of candles and offer prayers to those who have died.
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The National Day of Reflection, organised by the charity Marie Curie, marked one year since the UK first went into lockdown.
The idea was for everyone to come together to collectively reflect loss, support those who have been bereaved, and hope for a brighter future.
Matthew Reed, chief executive of Marie Curie, said: "The emotional toll of the grief so many of us have faced, at a time when so few of us have been able to connect with friends, family and community in the ways we normally would, is immeasurable.
"The work of so many communities, to recognise the day, sent a strong message to those hit hardest by the death of a loved one - they are not alone.
"From neighbours shining a light on their doorstep at 8pm, to political leaders respecting the minute's silence, our nation has shown a vital acknowledgement of the challenges bereaved people have been facing during this difficult year."
He said the charity is committed to making the national day of reflection an annual event "to recognise the impact of bereavement for any cause".
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Those in Downing Street paid tribute by leaving a candle outside No.10, while Sir Keir Starmer lit a candle with his wife Victoria.
Other families stepped outside their homes to pay their respects.
It comes after the Queen earlier reflected on the "grief and loss felt by so many" in a message accompanying flowers sent to St Bartholomew's Hospital in the City of London, where the Duke of Edinburgh had heart surgery.
The message read: "As we look forward to a brighter future together, today we pause to reflect on the grief and loss that continues to be felt by so many people and families, and pay tribute to the immeasurable service of those who have supported us all over the last year."
Meanwhile the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge took part in a private moment of reflection in Westminster Abbey, observing the minute's silence in the abbey's Shrine of St Edward the Confessor.
William then lit a candle in remembrance at the altar of the Shrine, and Kate placed fresh daffodils next to the candle.
Lending his support to the national day of reflection, the Prince of Wales, who is a patron of Marie Curie, said: "Whatever our faith or philosophy may be, let us take a moment together to remember those who have been lost, to give thanks for their lives, and to acknowledge the inexpressible pain of parting.
"In their memory, let us resolve to work for a future inspired by our highest values, that have been displayed so clearly by the people of this country through this most challenging of times."
Earlier on Tuesday evening Boris Johnson hailed the British public for its "epic endurance" throughout the last year.
Speaking at a Downing Street briefing, the Prime Minister said: “For the entire British people it’s been an epic of endurance and of privation.
"Of children’s birthday parties cancelled, of weddings postponed, of families gatherings of all kinds simply deleted from the diary.
“Worst of all in that time we’ve suffered so many losses, and for so many people grief has been made more acute because we’ve not been able to see our loved ones in their final days, to hold their hands, and to mourn them together."
He said that at the right moment "we’ll come together as a country to build a fitting and permanent memorial to the loved ones we’ve lost" and to commemorate this whole period.
And added: “For month after month our collective fight against Coronavirus was like fighting in the dark against a callous and invisible enemy, until science helped us to turn the lights on and gain the upper hand.
“In the end this was unlike any other struggle in my lifetime, in that our entire population has been engaged and it’s thanks to all of you that we can continue on our roadmap to freedom.
“Cautiously but irreversibly - step by step, jab by jab - this country is on the path to reclaiming our freedom.”
During the first lockdown, Brits clapped their hands and clanged pots and pans at 8pm every Thursday to say thanks to key workers.
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Millions across the country joined in to support the NHS and carers and it quickly became a national tradition.
Many famous faces also joined the applause, including the Prime Minister and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
However, the event initially ended after 10 weeks as the creator was concerned it was getting politicised.
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Prince Charles today has called on Brits to remember those claimed by the deadly pandemic.
The future king said: "In their memory, let us resolve to work for a future inspired by our highest values, that have been displayed so clearly by the people of this country through this most challenging of times."
The PM will tonight hold a press conference to mark the anniversary.
One year ago, the PM shut the nation down, telling everyone to stay at home to stop the spread of the virus which had already started to rip through Britain.
England has now had three national lockdowns, with shops shut, people told to stay home and ditch plans to see friends, family and colleagues.
Those lockdowns have lasted for nearly half of the last year - with some other areas having been in local lockdowns for even longer.
During the past 12 months, Brits have banded together to get through the tough times.
Brits took to their doorsteps to clap for the NHS on Thursday nights while heroes like Captain Sir Tom Moore raised thousands for those on the front lines.
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Britain falls silent to mark coronavirus lockdown anniversary
It came as the PM warned a third Covid wave in Europe would “wash up on our shores”, but hailed our jabs success and national spirit.
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Almost 28million people have received a coronavirus vaccination as part of the rollout to get life back to normal.
And March 29 will see the next phase of the road to lockdown take place - with the stay at home message ditched and Brits permitted to gather in groups of six.
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