A MOMENT TO MOURN
Quiet reflection marks a year to the day of first lockdown
JANET BARTLEY, 76
Mum of six from Clydebank, who lived for her family and loved going to bingo, died on April 4, 2020.
MARY BLYTH, 62
Edinburgh mum of two, who loved spending time with her four grandchildren, died on April 7, 2020.
SCOTLAND fell silent to honour the country’s Covid dead in a minute of quiet reflection yesterday.
Since the pandemic began, 7559 people in Scotland have been confirmed as having died of coronavirus but the true number is higher, with the National Records of Scotland figures for confirmed and suspected deaths totalling almost 10,000.
At noon, a year on from the first national period of lockdown, people stood in silence before church bells rang out to mark the end of the period of reflection.
In Glasgow, staff from the city’s Royal Infirmary gathered outside the hospital – a reminder of the ultimate sacrifice some of their NHS colleagues had made.
Later, Scots gathered in silence for a second time, with lit candles, torches and phones, to shine a beacon of remembrance on all those who have died from any illness, accident or injury in the past year.
End of life charity Marie Curie arranged the event, backed by more than 100 organisations, including the
ALEX WILKIE, 87
Grandfather from Coatbridge, who was a keen angler and bowler and loved his annual family holidays, died on April 26, 2020. emergency services, businesses, charities and community groups.
A rainbow of hope has been installed on the Mound in Edinburgh as part of the event. More than 12,000 plants grown in Scotland were used to create the piece, which was built by staff from Edinburgh City Council and volunteers from several Scottish nurseries.
The Scottish Parliament, the Wallace Monument and the Kelpies were lit up yellow last night in remembrance of all those who died.
The Queen reflected on the “grief and loss felt by so many” as she marked the
GEORGE WALKER, 85
Former soldier from Glasgow, who was pre-deceased by his wife and son and was a loved uncle, died on March 31, 2020.
WALENTYNA ALIMOUSKA, 82
Edinburgh mum of four, who sewed secret pockets in clothes to smuggle Bibles into Russia, died on February 14, 2021. anniversary by sending flowers to St Bartholomew’s Hospital, where the Duke of Edinburgh had heart surgery.
In a message honouring the national day of reflection, the monarch said: “As we look forward to a brighter future together, today we pause to reflect on the grief and loss that continues to be felt by so many people and families, and pay tribute to the immeasurable service of those who have supported us all over the last year.”
The Royal College of General Practitioners Scotland expressed their sympathies to families who have been impacted by the pandemic. Dr David
ANDREW McGINLEY, 84
Retired joiner from Glasgow, who was married for 62 years and had five children, died on April 20, 2020.
Shackles, joint chair of RCGP Scotland, said: “We are taking the time to reflect on the huge loss that this pandemic has brought and we stand shoulder to shoulder alongside care home staff, who have been working tirelessly to provide exceptional work throughout this time.
“I am proud of the role that general practice has played throughout the pandemic in delivering the highest standard of care for patients when they have needed it most.”
Doctors joined teachers and nurses in calling for Prime Minister Boris Johnson to recognise an
MARK WHITTAKER, 78
Father of six from Edinburgh was married for almost 60 years before dying on April 29, 2020. annual Covid Memorial Day on March 23 to pay tribute to the efforts of frontline workers during the pandemic.
Ken Macintosh, the Scottish Parliament’s presiding officer, led the minute’s silence on the garden lobby steps at Holyrood, along with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and other party leaders.
He said: “This global pandemic has taken so much from so many. This Parliament stands shoulder to shoulder with all those who have suffered, all those grieving loved ones and those whose lives have been changed forever.”