Yellow ribbon has been tied to the columns of the Buttercross as an act of unity and commemorative reflection in the heart of Ludlow.

Please join together in spirit to observe the minute's silence at 12 midday, and get your torches and phones ready for the national doorstep vigil at 8.00pm as part of the day of reflection to mark the ANNIVERSARY OF THE UK'S FIRST COVID LOCKDOWN, when those who have died in the pandemic will be remembered.

Ludlow Town Council will plant a tree of remembrance and install a permanent plaque commemorating those who died during the pandemic later in the year at the Town Green at Sidney Road when Ludlow Town Council takes ownership.    
 
The government announced the first national stay-at-home order on 23 March 2020 - and at that time the total number of recorded deaths linked to coronavirus in the UK was 335. There have now been over 143,000 deaths.

The initiative - proposed and developed by Marie Curie Cancer Care – has the backing of the Prime Minister. The minute of silence will be at 12 midday and, later that day, people are encouraged to light up their doorsteps.

It is hoped people will help create a nationwide ‘beacon of remembrance’ on their doorsteps by beaming phones, candles and torches into the night sky at 8.00pm.

Marie Curie chief executive Matthew Reed said it was ‘important that we all come together to reflect on our collective loss, celebrate the lives of the special people no longer here, support those who've been bereaved and look towards a much brighter future.’

A series of free online talks organised by the Good Grief Festival will also take place, featuring experts, bereaved families and celebrities.