Ribbons for remembrance at Rochester Cathedral

Rochester Cathedral invites you to tie a ribbon to mark a year since the first lockdown

Rochester Cathedral is encouraging people to mark National Reflection Day on March 23rd by tying a single ribbon on the railings outside the Cathedral or on the historic Catalpa tree. The ribbons are an act of remembrance and a sign of hope. The ribbons will be added to and remain in place for the next 50 days.

 National Reflection Day marks a year since the first lockdown due to Coronavirus. People are being asked to pause and reflect on the year on this day.  It has been organised by Marie Curie and is supported by the Church of England.

 The idea came from The Dean of Rochester, The Very Rev’d Philip Hesketh DL who writes “The ribbon can be of any colour – we are all beautifully different and colours have multiple meanings. The ribbon is in memory of someone and a sign of hope as we approach Easter. Easter is all about hope and Christians are people who live in the light of resurrection life and transformation. As we emerge out of this winter of despair, please do tie a single ribbon on the railings in memory and to mark the springtime of new life. Easter lasts 50 days, until the Feast of Pentecost - Whitsun. So, there is plenty of time to come and tie your ribbon as a special act of remembrance and hope.  By Pentecost we should have a wonderful rainbow of promise.”

Tying ribbons to trees has a long history, at least going back to Celtic times. Different colours have different meanings; green for the environment, red for heart disease, pink for breast cancer, blue for bulling awareness, yellow for armed forces, the white ribbon most recently associated with the campaign by men to end male violence against women.

 The ribbons will remain on the railings throughout Easter until the Feast of Pentecost or Whitsun. Rochester Cathedral invites people to come at quiet times over the next 50 days to tie their ribbon and have a moment of reflection for the past year.