Service to honour those who served and died during pandemic
Representatives from the NHS, emergency services and other key workers will gather with members of the public at Westminster Abbey for a special service of Remembrance organised by the National Memorial Arboretum.
The 'Trees of Life ' service will honour the bravery and dedication of those who served the nation throughout the pandemic and remember all those who died as a result of Covid-19 in the UK.
It takes place on 11 October and ?the Abbey will be dressed with trees and saplings which will be blessed during the service, before being planted in a new glade at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.
“As the nation 's year-round place to remember, we have been inundated with requests for us to commemorate the incredible service and sacrifice of key workers during the pandemic alongside providing a space in memory of those who tragically lost their lives, ” said Philippa Rawlinson, director of the National Memorial Arboretum.
“Together with the National Forest Company, we are developing an ambitious plan to transform a tract of former quarry land into an inspirational living landscape, representative of the changing seasons, where people can reflect and remember.
“The saplings blessed during the 'Trees of Life ' service will be incorporated into a beautiful new glade at the Arboretum, as we begin to deliver on our vision for a dedicated new Remembrance space connected to the pandemic. ”
Led by the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle, Dean of Westminster Abbey, the service will include worship, carefully chosen readings, choral music and prayers.
During the service, the Abbey will also be hosting 'The Leaves of the Trees ' installation, created by Sculptor Peter Walker.
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.