PEOPLE across Leicester are being invited to take part in a minute’s silence to remember all those who have lost their lives during the coronavirus pandemic.
The national event will take place at 12pm on Tuesday 23 March, marking one year since the first lockdown across the UK.
Flags on city council buildings in Leicester will fly at half-mast as a mark of respect.
In the evening, Leicester Cathedral will hold a memorial service, which will be streamed live from 7pm. As part of the service a candle will be lit for every life lost to coronavirus in the city, county and Rutland during the past year.
The Memorial of Lament service will be broadcast on the Cathedral’s Youtube channel and Facebook page and will have words, music and reflections on the past year.
Council buildings will be lit in blue, as they were during the first lockdown, in honour of the NHS and all key workers.
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 at least now start to look forward with hope.”
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.
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