Memorial day suggested for lockdown dead

COUNCILLORS in Rhondda Cynon Taf have suggested the council has a memorial day for people who died during lockdown.

Councillors Mike Diamond, Independent, Joel James, Conservative, and Will Jones, Independent, all voiced their support for the idea at a meeting of full council.

The call was made as councillors received an update on the council’s response to the coronavirus pandemic from chief executive Chris Bradshaw.

The idea was brought up by Cllr Diamond, who said many family members weren’t able to attend the funerals of their loved ones who died in that period due to lockdown restrictions.

He said: “One thing that is very disturbing and upsetting is the fact that in the early days of the pandemic, a lot of people that passed away were buried without their family being present.

“And I just wondered as a council in time to come that we maybe have a memorial day to try and help these families that went through this situation.”

Cllr James, the leader of the Conservative group on the council, said it was a very good suggestion, and added it would be good to recognise the work that community groups have done too.