Members of Briton Ferry choir Goodness Gracious Glee will be showing their support for the National Day of Reflection on Wednesday 23 March by sharing their Wall of Reflection film and observing the light up moment at 8pm during their weekly rehearsal.
Led by end-of-life charity Marie Curie, the National Day of Reflection is a day to reflect on the lives of the people who have died during the last two years and support the millions of people who are grieving. Whether from Covid or any other cause.
Since the first lockdown began in 2020, millions of people across the UK have been bereaved. All our communities have felt the impact of this tragic loss of life.
Bethan Wallace, chairwoman of the choir – which reformed in September after disbanding in 2019 – said: “As a choir, we are here to support all our members in their grief – whenever that bereavement happened. “We came back together in 2021 after two years apart, because we’d missed that connection through singing so much, particularly during lockdowns. We all feel that singing brings us so much joy, but certain songs will also help each one of us remember someone we’ve lost, and we wanted to bring our own Glee spin on the day, so have created a “moving” Wall of Reflection with a film of loved ones we wanted to remember for the day.”
On the day itself members of the choir will join together for their usual rehearsal at Vernon Place Community Hub at 7pm and will gather together at 8pm to “light up” the night with a small candle (LED) each. They’ll release their Wall of Reflection film – which includes their version of Snow Patrol’s Chasing Cars and includes tributes to loved ones – at 7.55pm on their Facebook page.
Last year the first National Day of Reflection saw widespread support and connected the nation in grief in the first event of its kind.
To take part this year, people are encouraged to visit mariecurie.org.uk/dayofreflection and join one or more activities on the day:
- Observe a minute’s silence at midday, wearing your Marie Curie daffodil pin
- Shine a light at 8pm, or display flowers in your window
- Visit a Wall of Reflection or remember a loved one in your own way – an interactive online map at mariecurie.org/dayofreflection will display a UK wide network of Walls of Reflection where people can go to remember the loved ones they have lost and where the local community can come together to support those who are grieving.
- Join one of seven online Marie Curie organised talks and panel discussions, see mariecurie.org.uk/dayofreflection for more details.
- Prominent buildings and landmarks will light up yellow at night to mark the occasion. Last year, over 100 lit up – from Smeaton’s Tower in Plymouth, Devon to Ness Bridge in Inverness, Scotland.
