A National Day of Reflection

23/03/2021

Political leaders share their thoughts one year on from the first national lockdown

Today is a national day of reflection as we mark a year since the announcement of the first national lockdown.   At midday people around the Banbury FM area will pause in remembrance of those who have died during the crisis.

The day has been organised by the end-of-life charity Marie Curie.   The charity describes the day as an opportunity to reflect on the nation’s collective loss, support those who’ve been bereaved, and hope for a brighter future.

A minute’s silence will be held at 12pm.   People are being encouraged to stand on their doorsteps at 8pm this evening with phones, candles and torches to signify a “beacon of remembrance”.

The Union Jacks at Banbury Town Hall, Cherwell District Council’s Bodicote Headquarters and County Hall in Oxford will fly at half-mast all day.

Leader of Banbury Town Council Kieron Mallon said: “This day of reflection gives us a chance to remember the loss of life and show support for others.”

Councillor Barry Wood, Leader of Cherwell District Council, said: “It is sobering to reflect on the year that has passed since we first went into lockdown. Few of us could have realised how the pandemic would affect our daily lives. Nor did we anticipate the countless human tragedies it has wrought, with over 125,000 lives lost across the UK.

“Tuesday’s National Day of Reflection is a chance for all of us in the Cherwell area to join with our neighbours, colleagues and communities in remembering those who have lost their lives to COVID, and to offer our support to the bereaved.

“I am full of admiration and gratitude for how local people have adapted their lives to follow the lockdown restrictions and public health guidance: every mask worn and every bit of careful social distancing has made a difference, as has the difficult discipline of staying at home and not meeting family and friends.

 “The rollout of the vaccine is a tremendous achievement, with over 275,000 vaccines delivered to people across Oxfordshire to date. This is cause for continued hope for the future, as is the terrific neighbourly support shown towards the most vulnerable by volunteers and members of the community up and down the district.”

Councillor Ian Hudspeth, the leader of Oxfordshire County Council said: “Twelve months ago today our first national lockdown started. At that stage in our lives COVID-19 was more of an unknown quantity than it is now and, with people suddenly working and being educated from home, our worlds and horizons changed hugely.

“As families, colleagues and friends we quickly had to find ways of adapting to new routines and realities to deliver important services in our day jobs and provide support to loved ones in our home lives.

“With over 125,000 lives lost and so many people having experienced the virus, there has been real loss and sadness. Contact with family has been much less extensive and our freedom to come and go as we please has not been as we would wish it to be.

“Tuesday’s National Day of Reflection is a chance for everyone in Oxfordshire to remember those who have lost their lives to COVID, to offer our support to those who have been bereaved, and to simply look back at what we’ve been through.

“The dignity, resilience and fortitude shown by Oxfordshire people throughout this period has been admirable. That brand new advice given out 12 months ago about keeping a distance, washing hands and staying at home is being observed now as it was then and the different restrictions we’ve had in the meantime were also respected. These simple examples of people taking individual responsibility have all helped in dealing with the COVID-19 challenge.

“Each day the national vaccine rollout brings more and more hope and we are already on a very gradual return to normality. However we must never forget those who have lost their lives and the loved ones who mourn them. Tomorrow is an appropriate moment to look back soberly as well as to look forward with a degree of optimism.”


Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam

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