Borough comes together on National Day of Reflection

Date published: 24 March 2021

On the one-year anniversary since the first national lockdown, the borough came together to remember those we have lost to Covid-19 on National Day of Reflection (Tuesday 23 March 2021).

Led by end of life charity Marie Curie, the day provided an opportunity for people to not only remember those we’ve lost, but to think about those who have struggled through a year of several lockdowns and various restrictions on our day to day lives.

As well as churches opening their doors for visitors to reflect in a quiet space, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service firefighters lowered station flags, a tree planting ceremony was held at Hopwood Hall College and University Centre, and local charity Springhill Hospice marked the occasion by lighting their Light Up A Life tree in the hospice grounds.
 

Read more: Tree planting sends signal of hope during National Day of ReflectionPublished: 24 March 2021

Read more: Springhill Hospice marks National Day of ReflectionPublished: 23 March 2021

A minute's silence was also held twice throughout the day, once at noon and a second at 8pm, when people were invited to light up the night with a candle, torch, or phone to remember someone who has died and show your support to people going through a bereavement.

As night time fell, local landmarks were lit yellow in Rochdale town centre to remember those that we have lost, including the town centre bridge, Rochdale Cenotaph and the John Bright statue at Broadfield Park.

A representative of Rochdale Council commented: “Yesterday [23 March] we reflected on our collective loss, supporting those who’ve been bereaved, and hoped for a brighter future.

“Local landmarks in Rochdale were lit yellow last night in memory of our lost loved ones.”

The Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Billy Sheerin, completed his first official engagements of the year on the day of reflection, meeting one-to-one with doctors that have organised the rollout of the vaccine programme across the borough.

On behalf of the Mayor and Mayoress of Rochdale, together with the citizens of Rochdale Township, he presented members of the team with certificates of civic recognition for ‘outstanding work and dedication during the Covid-19 pandemic’.

Local doctors receiving certificates included:

• Dr Mohammed Jiva - Rochdale Township - Number One Riverside  
• Dr Mohammed Zahir - Heywood Township - Phoenix Centre
• Dr Louise Thompson - Middleton Township - Middleton Health Centre
• Dr Alison Wallace - Pennines Township (Milnrow) - Littleborough Sports Centre
• Dr Venkatesh Mallya - Pennines Township (Littleborough) - Littleborough Sports Centre 

Mayor Sheerin said: “These doctors are all absolutely wonderful people, who I think are very special. They demonstrate our NHS at its very best.

“They have given all of us hope in that we who have had the jab, now have a level of defence that will ensure that if we are unfortunate to catch Covid-19, it most likely will not be fatal.

“This was my first official event of the year, ensuring I only met up with one person socially distanced outside and wearing a mask, but I hope it is the first of more engagements to come.”