Coronavirus one year on

On March 23 2020, Boris Johnson said people could only shop for basic necessities, limited exercise to one form a day, restricted travel only to and from essential work and told the entire UK to stay at home.

Now three Hartlepool landmarks – Seaton Carew Bus Station and Clock Tower, Hartlepool Art Gallery and St Hilda’s Church on the Headland – will be bathed in a pool of rainbow light on three consecutive nights to allow residents an opportunity to safely reflect on the past twelve months.

The three light installations will be as follows:

• Tuesday 23 March – 7:30pm to 9:30pm – Seaton Carew Bus Station and Clock Tower
• Wednesday 24 March – 7:30pm to 9:30pm – St Hilda’s Church on the Headland
• Thursday 25 March – 7:30pm to 9:30pm – Hartlepool Art Gallery

Councillor Sue Little – Hartlepool Borough Council's Policy Chair for Culture – said: “COVID-19 has affected so many people in a number of different ways and we hope these light installations will provide people with the opportunity to process their experiences and hopefully look forward to a more positive future.

“Whether you’ve lost a loved one, have experienced financial hardship as a result of COVID, have been unable to visit relatives, have struggled with home working arrangements, or have your own Coronavirus story to tell – we hope you will appreciate the opportunity to reflect.

“I hope the lights will also give us the opportunity to reflect on all that is great about Hartlepool – in particular the caring and never-be-beaten spirit which has shone through like a beacon over the past twelve months.”

People wishing to attend the light installations are asked to observe the current COVID-19 restrictions – namely they should only take in the installations as part of their daily exercise and only with their own household, support bubble or one other person.

Social distancing should be observed throughout and Hartlepool Borough Council’s Community Street Ambassadors will also be on hand to provide a “friendly face” and assist with any questions.

Hartlepool-based Daniel Brobbel – from Artistic Solutions – who is designing the installations said: “I’m delighted to be working with Hartlepool Borough Council on this project and I hope residents enjoy seeing these landmarks being illuminated in this way.”

Nationally, a minute's silence and a national doorstep vigil will form part of a day of reflection to mark the anniversary of the UK's first COVID lockdown.

There will be a minute's silence at 12 noon on Tuesday 23 March, with people encouraged to light up their doorsteps that night.