ONE YEAR ON: Wigan churches are places of reflection on Covid anniversary

It is part of the borough's commemorations of a year since the UK went into its first national lockdown to tackle Covid-19.

Places of worship are also joining in with the national commemorations remembering all those who have been lost in the past 12 months during the day.

The day of reflection was starting at 9am with a morning prayer on Facebook Live, streamed on the Church Wigan page.

A number of churches are open throughout the day for individuals to come in and mourn, recall the past year or simply think about the unprecedented events.

St David’s in Haigh is open from 11am to noon, St Elizabeth’s in Aspull from 11am to 1pm, St Stephen’s in Whelley from noon to 1pm and St Andrew’s Springfield from 1pm to 3pm.

Wigan churches are also ringing a bell at the beginning of the minute’s silence for those who have died with Covid-19 at noon.

Anyone wishing to take part in the private prayer in one of the four churches can simply turn up but they will need to wear a face covering and they will have to give contact details to volunteers for track and trace purposes.

The Anglican Church said it was not possible to open more buildings as it was reliant on people giving up their free time to do so.

The day of reflection ends at 9pm with a Church Wigan evening prayer service, again on Facebook Live.

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