Watch more of our videos on Shots!
and live on Freeview channel 276

Scores of people observed a minute’s silence in Market Harborough town centre at 12 midday today (Tuesday) to mark the anniversary of the first Covid lockdown.

Men, women and families from all over the area gathered on The Square and at the Memorial Gardens to remember the pandemic’s victims as millions of people all over the UK fell silent at 12 noon.

John Morley, the president of Market Harborough Royal British Legion, and RBL chairman Stewart Harrison were among those who paid their respects to over 126,000 people killed nationwide by the coronavirus.

People stand for a minute silence at the memorial gardens at noon to remember those who died of Covid over the past year.
PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER — People stand for a minute silence at the memorial gardens at noon to remember those who died of Covid over the past year. PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER

They did so as a bell rang out 165 times at churches in and around Market Harborough to remember people throughout the district who have fallen victim to Covid-19.

One of those who took part said: “It was very powerful and very moving.

“There was a tremendous turn-out in the town centre in Market Harborough this lunchtime to remember the victims.

“I didn’t expect to see so many people – it was a remarkable outpouring of raw emotion on this difficult day and very touching.”

Harborough District Council fly the Union Flag at half mast to mark a year since Covid started.
PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER — Harborough District Council fly the Union Flag at half mast to mark a year since Covid started. PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER

Harborough District Council Council staff joined the national one-minute silence at 12 midday.

Harborough Market also observed the silence while the flag on The Symington Building will fly at half-mast for the day in a symbol of reflection for events of the last year.

People are also being asked to stand on their doorsteps at 8pm tonight with a candle or torch to mark the first lockdown anniversary.

Church buildings in Market Harborough will be open for quiet moments of reflection and candle lighting, with Covid social distancing restrictions in place, as follows:

St Dionysius church was open for prayer today to mark a year since Covid started.
PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER — St Dionysius church was open for prayer today to mark a year since Covid started. PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER

- St Dionysius, 10am-2pm (palm crosses will also be available to collect)

- St Nicholas, 12–4pm & 6-7pm;

- St Hugh, 11am-12noon & 6-7pm;

- Lubenham, 9.30am-4pm.

Harborough Baptist Church in Coventry Road will be open from 11.00 am until 1.00 pm for quiet reflection.

Harborough remembers the pandemic’s victims with a minute’s silence to mark the anniversary of the first Covid lockdown