North East Lincolnshire joins COVID-19 national day of reflection with special service

Candles were lit and moving words said as a congregation gathered at a Grimsby church to reflect and remember five years since the COVID-19 pandemic struck the UK.

The Service of Reflection was held today, (Sunday) as part of national events to mark March 2020 when people across our country began their long fight against the virus and its impact upon all of our communities.

Community leaders, health service representatives and members of public and private organisations joined residents, the Mayor of North East Lincolnshire Cllr Steve Beasant, and the leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, Cllr Philip Jackson, at Saint Mary on the Sea, in Heneage Road.

Together they remembered the struggles of lockdown and the loss of loved ones, whilst thanking those who dedicated their lives to helping others.

Lighting a candle,  Cllr Jackson said after the service: “None of us will forget those days. There is no-one in our borough, indeed the country, who was not affected – it may have been staying at home, being unable to work, or not going to school. For some it was so very hard – those who lost people close to them, or those who worked tirelessly to care for the sick. We must never forget the sacrifices made and the dedication of many to helping others.

“I would like to personally thank all of those community, health and public authority workers who certainly went above and beyond in what were extremely unsettling times for everyone.”

The Mayor’s Chaplain, the Very Rev Canon Andrew Cole spoke to the congregation. As he did so he was standing in front of a candle. It had been first lit at the church back in the Spring of 2020 when everyone had been encouraged to light one as symbols of hope across the nation.

He said: “It is almost five years now since the Prime Minister said ‘from this evening I must give British people a very simply instruction – you must stay at home’. Although memories have faded for many, the debt of gratitude which we owe to the emergency services, other key workers and volunteers who offered their support continues.

“Many residents of our borough lost loved ones, battled illness and went above and beyond the call of duty to support their neighbour and we developed new ways of remaining connected even if we were physically apart from our loved ones.”

Also in attendance offering prayers was Rev Jon Bellfield, the Hospital Chaplain for the Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals Trust.

This evening Grimsby Minster and Ross Castle in Cleethorpes are illuminated blue to mark the day.