Today Sunday 9 March 2025, on The National Covid Day of Reflection the Parish Council invite the Community of Sampford Courtenay to reflect on that unprecedented time in our history and remember and commemorate those who lost their lives since the pandemic began. 

If you haven’t had the opportunity to visit the National Covid Memorial Wall on the Albert Embankment on the South Bank of the River Thames you can virtually ‘Walk the Wall’ using this link Walk the wall it is a somber experience which highlights the impact the pandemic had. 

Today gives us all the opportunity to remember and pay tribute to the incredible work of the health and social care staff, together with frontline workers and researchers and their dedication throughout overcoming the significant challenges presented. 

We can all reflect on the sacrifices made by many and on the impact the pandemic had on us privately as individuals, on our local businesses and on the impact to those most vulnerable in our community. 

When I reflect back I also remember how proud I am of the true community spirit that pervaded all those hardships that were experienced. I think back on how the volunteers, the acts of kindness and sheer dedication to support each other, pulled the community together and made Sampford Courtenay the envy of many. The generosity of people, their kindness, their comradeship drew the attention of others internationally! The spirit of this community cohesion still exists albeit not in such a cocooned atmosphere as experienced during that unprecedented time, making Sampford Courtenay a fantastic place to live and visit. 

Here are a few visual reminders of how caring and engaged the Parish was in supporting each other. When reflecting it may be good to think how some of that spirit can be reignited to continue to help this community grow and continue to support each other in the future.