A day of reflection
Continued from front page Throughout the pandemic volunteers have stepped in to help those most in need and most affected socially, financially and emotionally as coronavirus swept across the globe.
Volunteer Centre West Berkshire director Garry Poulson said: “It has been a year now since the voluntary sector in West Berkshire rose to the epic challenge of supporting people in West Berkshire during the greatest peace time crisis we have faced since the Second World War.
“Across the district dozens of charities, voluntary groups, neighbour support groups, or just really lovely neighbours set about helping one another.
“On Tuesday we took our hats off to our fellow volunteers, staff, committees, trustees for the hard work in which we have all been engaged.
“Keep it up, you are wonderful human beings.”
Leader of the district council Lynne Doherty (Con, Speen) said: “On this day our thoughts will be for the people who have sadly died – particularly for those from our own community.
“We will also think about the people who have suffered a bereavement and are unable to mark the passing of their loved ones in the usual way with friends and family, because of the need to socially distance and the necessary restrictions on gatherings and travel.
“Living with the pandemic has been extremely difficult for us all, regardless of our age or circumstances.
“Now that we have reached a point where we can slowly and cautiously follow the roadmap out of lockdown, we reflect on the lives that have been lost and sacrifices that have been made.
“The National Day of Reflection serves as a reminder to us all to consider how best we can support the people we know who have lost someone close during the most challenging of times that many of us have ever known.”
In addition to the minute silence at noon, residents also joined in a nationwide ‘beacon of remembrance’ from their own doorsteps, by beaming mobile phones and torches into the night sky at 8pm, to light up the darkness for those bereaved.
The Newbury Weekly News recaps the highs and lows of the past 12 months in our ‘A Year in Lockdown’ special on pages 12-15.