WE STAND TOGETHER
Silence and tributes one year after Grenfell
GRENFELL Tower survivors and bereaved families were joined by Adele and Stormzy as they marked the fire’s one-year anniversary.
A 72-second silence – one for each of the dead – was marked at the disaster site yesterday.
Wreathes were laid at the fence boarding off the tower’s charred remains in Kensington, north London.
Nicholas Burton lived on the 24-storey block’s 19th floor and lost his wife, Maria del Pilar Burton, in January – seven months after she was injured in the fire.
He said: “It was emotional, of course, but it felt good because everyone around is your community. They’re friends, so it didn’t feel uncomfortable. Everyone just wanted to hug or say hello.
“I was just thinking about my wife during the minute’s silence, to tell you the truth, hoping she’s OK and I got a bit emotional.
“Then you remember everyone else who died in that tower and I know that I’m lucky to have had a bit of time with my wife.”
In the day’s first service a community mosaic was unveiled and a gospel choir performed Lean On Me, accompanied by a crowd including Adele, Stormzy and folk star Marcus Mumford.
The names of the dead were read out by different members of the community. After each finished, they said: “Forever in our hearts.” Other memorials took place nearby, including a service of remembrance at St Helen’s Church.
Those attending include Tottenham MP David Lammy, who was friends with victim Khadija Saye.
He said: “We need a redoubling of effort in the year ahead. It needs to be much better, we need to get those people housed.”
The 72-second silence was also observed across the country, including at government buildings, the Palace of Westminster and by the Queen and Prince Harry’s new bride Meghan in Chester.