A councillor has said it is time for the city to come together and collectively reflect on the Covid-19 pandemic.

Carlisle City Councillor for Botcherby and Harraby North, Jeffrey Bomford, said an event in the city for people to reflect on the pandemic would offer people, including himself, who have lost loved ones a form of closure.

Cllr Bomford, who lost a family member and two friends during the Covid-19 pandemic, said not being able to attend their funerals was a big blow for him.

“With one of them [friends] it was quite a shock,” said Cllr Bomford.

“Because of Covid, the last time I was able to see them was before the pandemic hit.

“The biggest thing was not being able to say goodbye as a whole. I wasn’t there when they passed away and I wasn’t able to go to see them being put in the ground or cremated.

“I wasn’t able to be a part of that last moment that they would have.

“It’s a big part of closure for me.”

People across the country missed the funerals of loved ones in order for funeral attendance numbers to keep in line with government restrictions and guidance on social distancing.

Cllr Bomford said he is looking to put in a motion for an event of reflection and remembrance to be held in Carlisle.

He added: “What I would like to see from the council is an organised event that would allow people to come together to remember the ones that they’ve lost over the past year.

“In such an event, I would also like to see a place for people to bring photos, or an item of that person that they’ve lost.

“It could contribute to a keep-sake archive that can be displayed somewhere for people to come and see."

Cllr Bomford said he would like to see such an event bring everyone in the city together.

He said: “I think everyone, even if they haven’t lost anyone directly, has been affected by it [Covid-19] or know someone who’s grieving.

“I would hope that it would bring people, who don’t normally talk to each other, or different groups of people together to be a part of Carlisle as one."