Residents praised on eve of COVID anniversary

Published Friday, 19th March 2021

As Hartlepool prepares to join the rest of the country to mark the anniversary of the first COVID lockdown, residents are again being praised for all they have done and encouraged to keep sticking to the rules. 

A national day of reflection will be held on Tuesday 23rd March, remembering all those who have died in the pandemic.  

There will be a minute’s silence at 12 noon and at 8pm people are encouraged to help create a nationwide ‘beacon of remembrance’ by lighting up their doorsteps, beaming torch, phone and candle light into the night sky.

Denise McGuckin, Hartlepool Borough Council Managing Director, said: “The past year has been incredibly hard year for the people of Hartlepool and this week’s commemoration will be exceptionally poignant, as we remember everyone who has lost their lives and reflect on the many ways in which COVID has affected us all.

“I would like to again pay tribute to everyone in Hartlepool for the way in which, each in their own way, they have faced the unparalleled challenge of COVID with courage, dedication and above all care and compassion for others.

“The national vaccination rollout offers real hope on the horizon, but in the meantime we can’t afford to drop our guard – we must all continue to follow the rules on the national roadmap out of lockdown to keep ourselves, our loved ones and others safe.”

Craig Blundred, the Council’s Director of Public Health, added: “I would like to thank the people of Hartlepool for all they have been doing to follow the restrictions – I know it has been far from easy at times but you have been doing a fantastic job.

“However, as the lockdown now gradually eases, please don’t take your eye off the ball – keep following the rules and above all please don’t forget – HANDS, FACE and SPACE.”

As part of this week’s commemoration, people in Hartlepool are reminded that three of the town’s 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, as follows:

* Tuesday 23rd March – 7.30pm to 9.30pm – Seaton Carew Bus Station and Clock Tower.

* Wednesday 24th March – 7.30pm to 9.30pm – St Hilda’s Church on the Headland.

* Thursday 25th March – 7.30pm to 9.30pm – Hartlepool Art Gallery.

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.