Gloucester Covid memorial marks fifth anniversary

The coronavirus memorial sits in Gloucester Park

A memorial honouring people who lost their lives during the coronavirus pandemic has been unveiled today in Gloucester.

The memorial in Gloucester Park features eight trees surrounding a plaque, each representing a group of key workers who provided essential services.

A ceremony was being held on Sunday at 11:00 GMT where tributes and poetry were read out loud to mark five years since the pandemic began.

Councillor Caroline Courtney, cabinet member for culture and leisure on Gloucester City Council, said: "It's important we can come together to recognise what we each other went through, and are still going through in some way."

The memorial is set into the ground at Gloucester Park

Mayor of Gloucester Lorraine Campbell led the public ceremony with a tribute before laying flowers.

The National Day of Reflection on 9 March is one of the 10 recommendations set out by the UK Commission on Covid Commemoration.

Speaking to BBC Radio Gloucestershire, Ms Courtney said: "We saw people really come together in a way that sometimes a national crisis like this really brings about.

"It's important we continue to foster that. We're not out of the woods yet, people are still suffering."

'Psychological impact'

"A lot of people are still living with the consequences of the pandemic. There are people who are still grieving their loss, there are people with ongoing health issues.

"A lot of people suffered financial hardship from not being able to work or not being able to continue their business.

"Not to mention the psychological impact of what we all went through."

The day will also see reflections on the sacrifices made and the continuing impact on the public's daily lives, as well as tributes to volunteers who showed acts of kindness during the pandemic.

Flowers were laid at the ceremony today