Service of Reflection in Grimsby will commemorate UK's fifth COVID-19 anniversary

A ‘SERVICE of Reflection’ will be held in Grimsby on Sunday 9 March as events are staged across the country to mark five years since COVID-19 struck the UK.

The Mayor of North East Lincolnshire, Cllr Steve Beasant will be joined by people across the borough who played a key role in responding to the outbreak and remained at the response frontline in the months and years that followed. NHS and health staff, volunteers, and public sector employees have been invited.

There is also an invitation for residents to attend who wish to reflect on their personal experiences during a time that shook the world and changed many lives forever. They may have lost loved ones, battled the virus themselves, or went above and beyond to support those around them.

The service, which will welcome people of all faiths, will be held at St Mary on the Sea Church, in Heneage Road, Grimsby, and led by the Mayor’s Chaplain, Father Andrew Cole. It will start at 2pm.

Further to that, on the Sunday evening, Grimsby Minster and Ross Castle in Cleethorpes will be illuminated blue in recognition of the dedication of our emergency services and all those who volunteered their support during the pandemic.

Of the Service, Father Andrew Cole, said: “Many of us will remember the rainbows and candles we lit in our windows during the pandemic, to give us hope and comfort during a very difficult time for us all. Everyone in our borough is welcome to this service, no matter your faith, background or tradition, to reflect and to light candles and to remember as we celebrate our togetherness as the people of North East Lincolnshire.”

North East Lincolnshire Council Leader, Cllr Philip Jackson, who will be attending, said: “There is little doubt that we all remember that time, five years ago now, when this country joined the world in battling against a pandemic that rocked us all.

“As we reflect on that time, we must remember with a huge degree of gratitude, those across our borough who delivered day-in and day-out, dedicating themselves to supporting all of us. We are forever grateful and this service is an opportunity to remember that, along with remembering all those we lost or whose lives were changed as a result of COVID-19.”