Time seems to have flown by since the Grenfell Tower disaster three years ago (one of the biggest tragedies the UK has ever faced), and this weekened will see London and the rest of the country pay its respects to the lives that were lost in the tragic fire on June 14, 2017.
On Sunday, windows of tower-blocks will glow green and the bells of St Paul's and Southwark cathedrals will toll 72 times, giving the bereaved and survivors of the disaster a special moment to mourn with a programme of remote commemoration. Usually, the communal annual vigils at the base of the burned-out block would be set up, however the current coronavirus pandemic has led to an online service taking place with contributions from faith leaders, along with a special recording of "You'll Never Walk Alone" by Marcus Mumford.
The residents of tower-blocks, as well as other homes across the UK, will be able to stream a green light from their TV sets after nightfall as a way to show their solidarity. However, the controversy surrounding the government's inability to ensure that Grenfell was safe to live in is still causing frustration to this day. The initial response to make sure similar block towers are fire-proofed and correctly constructed have been once again slowed down by COVID-19 and the criminal charges surrounding the disaster have also been postponed until 2022.
This halt in proceedings could mean that the companies involved in the refurbishment, who have refused to answer questions on their buildings, could escape having to give evidence in criminal prosecutions. Here's hoping that is not the case.
