'Five years is a significant milestone' - Communities come together in Staffordshire and the Black Country for Covid-19 Day of Reflection

Thousands of people across the West Midlands and millions around the UK have attended reflection services for the fifth anniversary since the Covid-19 pandemic began. 

Services held in locations of significance took place across England and the rest of the UK as many took the chance to remember those lost and give thanks to those who struggled during the trying time. 

A poignant ceremony, held in St Michael and All Angels, in Pelsall, Walsall, saw councillors, faith leaders, NHS members and members of the community come together to pay their respects to those lost and give honour to those who kept Britain functioning during the lockdown period.

In the ceremony, members of many faiths came together to give prayers to those who passed due to the pandemic, and also to offer words of comfort. 

Leading the reflection service Reverend Alison Morris, vicar at St Michael and All Angels Church, said: "This is an opportunity to personally remember those who have lost their lives to Covid-19. 

"To reflect on our personal and collective experiences during the pandemic. To remember the health care staff. The work of the volunteers and community members who all worked tirelessly to care for patients, and support the wider community."

The reflection ceremony saw leaders of all faiths, including Christianity, Sikhism, Hinduism and Islam give prayers to help provide comfort for those who have lost and struggled, and those who continue to struggle five years on. 

Attending the ceremony the leader of Walsall Council, Councillor Garry Perry, said: "I think we needed to do this today. Five years is a significant milestone and I just hope that we can keep coming together on an annual basis as a community to remember everyone who suffered and provide support to those who need it.

"As we go forward, it's important to remember what is essentially an unprecedented time in all of our lives, but also is historic in its own right.

"I hope that future generations will be taught about Covid-19 and the impact it had, but also about the great things that come from our great communities working closer together."

Talking after the multi-faith ceremony, Reverend Morris added that it is important to remember that people are still suffering five years on and that togetherness spreads across faiths. 

She said: "Moving forward, it is about togetherness because together, we are much stronger.

"This ceremony was also about love across all faiths, across all belief structures and traditions. It shows that we can all come together as humankind to support each other through such adversity."

Another service took place at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas, Staffordshire, seeing hundreds of people turn up to leave a floral tribute to remember those lost during the trying time. 

In pictures, taken at the arboretum, NHS nurses, community representatives, and those who struggled and continue to struggle can be seen crying, remembering, and taking a moments silence to pay tribute on the anniversary.

Also at the ceremony was children's author, poet and presenter, Michael Rosen, who gave a talk to remember the trying time of the lockdown. 

The five year anniversary ceremony also saw the Under-Secretary of State in the Department of Health and Social Care, Ashley Dalton MP lay a wreath.