Abbey services honours those who served and died during pandemic

Hundreds of key workers and members of the public gathered at Westminster Abbey to honour those who served and died during the Covid-19 pandemic in a service organised by the National Memorial Arboretum.

Representatives from the NHS, emergency services and other key workers, joined hundreds of members of the public at for 'Trees of Life ', a special Service of Remembrance.

Organised by the Arboretum and the National Forest Company, the service honoured the bravery and dedication of those who served the nation throughout the pandemic and remembered all those who died as a result of Covid-19 in the UK.

“During the pandemic, health workers were joined by armies of everyday heroes dedicated to serving our country; from food and service workers who kept us in groceries, power, and water; to scientists and technicians who developed vaccines; to the Armed Forces and volunteers who administered them, ” said Philippa Rawlinson, director of the National Memorial Arboretum.

“Their valiant efforts meant the pandemic was bridled within months, not decades; at a cost to human life in the hundreds of thousands, not tens of million. Today we paid tribute to their unwavering service and remembered those who lost their lives during one of the deadliest pandemics in recorded history. ”

?The Abbey was dressed with trees and saplings by renowned floral designer Shane Connolly.

During the service, these trees were blessed by representatives from diverse Communities of Faith, preparing them for planting in a new glade at the National Memorial Arboretum in the National Forest, as the first step in the delivery of an inspirational living memorial to the pandemic within a 25-acre extension to the Arboretum.??

Several key worker representatives read prayers during the service.

The Abbey also hosted 'The Leaves of the Trees ' art installation, created by Sculptor Peter Walker, which has been touring the country.

This display across the floor of the Abbey was designed as a reflective memorial, made up of 5,000 steel leaves with the word HOPE written upon them.

It creates a beautiful impression of fallen autumn leaves appearing as though naturally scattered by the wind.

The leaves symbolise the past, that which has transpired and hope for the future.??