By Stephanie Daley

Published 23rd Mar 2023, 06:00 BST

At the National Memorial Arboretum, in Alrewas in Staffordshire, the Trees of Life glade was unveiled which commemorates those who served the public during the crisis.

Created by the arboretum and National Forest Company, the glade comprises a Spaeth alder tree surrounded by other trees, which were blessed during a service of remembrance at Westminster Abbey last year.

The world may have changed irreparably since that momentous moment, with more than 200,000 people who died in the UK since the start of the pandemic having Covid on their death certificate, but arboretum director Philippa Rawlinson said: “For many key workers who served, or those who lost loved ones, the memories of that time and the feelings of loss will never go away.

Jen Capewell, of Richmond, North Yorkshire, a volunteer knitter for the Georgian Theatre Royal in Richmond

“The new Trees of Life glade offers a place for people to come together to remember and honour the service and sacrifice of their loved ones, to reflect on an extremely difficult time in our nation’s recent history and to support the process of healing.”

The National Day of Reflection, which is marked today, was set up by end of life charity Marie Curie in 2021 and is backed by the Church of England.

At Ripon Cathedral in North Yorkshire a candle will burn in the church all day as an expression of prayer, and will be lit by the Dean of Ripon, the Very Rev John Dobson.

A spokesman for the cathedral said: “It also speaks of our gratitude for all medical professionals, including those who developed vaccines and all who supported friends and neighbours.

Captain Tom Moore pictured on an electronic board outside the Harrogate Nightingale Hospital.21st April 2019 ..Picture by Simon Hulme

“Prayers will be said throughout the day and the cathedral is open for people to light a candle and leave prayers of their own.”

A 10-foot long Wall of Reflection, where people can write and share memories of loved ones who have died, has been set up on London’s South Bank by Marie Curie.

Ballroom dancers Curtis and AJ Pritchard, who lost their 93-year-old grandmother Angela in November 2020, were among the first to visit and write on it.

The large yellow wall, which is covered in hundreds of daffodils, is one of hundreds set up across the UK in the run-up to the National Day of Reflection.

Terry Owston, from Rillington in North Yorkshire, decorated his mobility scooter with 1,000 fairy lights to raise money for NHS staff

Marie Curie says the walls aim to help people come together to remember those who have died, support those who are grieving and connect with each other.

The wall, at Observation Point on the South Bank, is covered with real flowers and has daffodil-shaped spaces where people can write and share stories of loss and grief.

The charity said new research reveals almost half of Britons feel the death of the Queen and other leading figures including Dame Vivienne Westwood has helped them open up to their family about grief and loss.

Almost seven out of 10 Britons (69%) consider national moments for mass reflection important, the research also found.

Rachel List painted several NHS/key worker-themed murals around Pontefract.

AJ Pritchard said: “We lost our wonderful Nana in the middle of the pandemic and, as with all grief, have been processing it ever since.

“Marie Curie’s National Day of Reflection gives us a way to keep her memory alive, and a moment to reflect on the cherished memories we shared together.”

Marie Curie chief executive Matthew Reed said: “The National Day of Reflection gives the nation the opportunity to unite in grief and share their experiences with others who have suffered similar losses.

“This year, we chose to set up the London Wall of Reflection as a public reminder of the importance of remembrance and coming together.”

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