Service to pay tribute mooted

abannockburn councillor has suggested a memorial service eventually be held for all those who have died during the pandemic.

the villageofbannockburn has beenparticularly badly hit and has tragically seen 12 Covid-related deaths following a recent outbreak at Fairview Care home.

local churches have been paying their respects to those who have died and welcomed the idea to pay tribute - once it is safe to do so.

Over the weekend Cllr alasdair Macphersonposted a thank you to local churches for their prayers andreflectionson his Facebook page.

and the SNP Bannockburn councillor said he would like the opportunity eventually for everyone to be able to pay tribute.

he said:“i know many people who have lost a close family member to Covidand i know how upsetting it has beenfor family and friends who were unable to attend funeral services because of the limit in numbers that was imposed to prevent the spread of the virus.

“Once we are through this very difficult period,ifeel that a memorial service might be a good way to pay respect to everyone who has died of this terrible virus.”

revlizroberston ofladywell Church welcomed the idea and told the stirling Observer she had already been in contact with the manageroffairview Care home suggesting the idea of a memorial service.

she said:“normally you would see members of staff attendinga funeral for a residentbut that’s not always able to happen just now.”

ladywell Church is currently closed for three weeks as is the other Church ofscotlandchurch in Bannockburn- allanchurch. under level four restrictionsonly 20 people can attenda place of worshipfora sunday service compared to 50in level three.

Father Kevin Murray of Our lady and st Niniancatholic

Church welcomed the suggestion of a local memorial and said: “gathering as a community is an important thing and we have not been able to do that for a long time. Particularly we were not able to gather for remembrance services as we normally do.”

he added that once the pandemic is overand it is safeto do so, he would like to see a memorial service for those who have died not just locally butin the wider area and“maybenationally.”