Huge grass cross unveiled in the nave of Winchester Cathedral for National Day of Reflection

An enormous grass cross filled with flowers has been unveiled in the nave of Winchester Cathedral to mark the National Day of Reflection.  

The impressive cross installation is made up of daffodils, primrose, cilla and mascari and has been set up in memory of people who have died during the Covid pandemic. 

The day of reflection is taking place across the country and marks the one year anniversary since the UK went into its first lockdown due to COVID-19. 

It is being spearheaded by the charity Marie Curie as a way of remembering those that we lost during the pandemic and to show support to families that have lost loved ones.

Winchester Cathedral will also be holding a minutes silence at noon on 23rd March, followed by an evensong performance from the full cathedral choir later in the day. 

Both of them which will be livestreamed to the public through the cathedrals social media channels.

Gardeners have been working hard to perfect the grass cross in the nave of the cathedral before the event. 

Elsewhere, to mark the anniversary, London’s skyline will turn yellow with landmarks including the London Eye, Trafalgar Square and Wembley Stadium lighting up at nightfall.

Other notable buildings that will be illuminated include Cardiff Castle and Belfast City Hall, while churches and cathedrals will toll bells, light thousands of candles and offer prayers.

In Portsmouth, churches will deliver more than 50 boxes of chocolates and cards to local GP surgeries, care homes and schools to thank key workers for their pandemic efforts.

The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said: ‘This day of reflection is an opportunity to pause and remember all that’s happened over the past year, to mourn those who have died but also to give thanks for those who have looked after us and our communities.

‘It is a moment to pray together to our Father in Heaven to comfort us in our grief and to lead us into the hope of the risen Christ and the eternal life he promises.

‘As we reflect on the pandemic, may He strengthen our resolve to rebuild a kinder, fairer and more compassionate society, may He be with those who are struggling and may He guide us in honouring those we have lost over the past year.’