Hereford mayor's message after coronavirus impacts family

Mayor Kath Hey told Tuesday's full Hereford City Council meeting that the county was still in the grip of the "terrible" virus, which the UK Government confirmed had led to 100,000 deaths across the UK.

Councillor Hey told the city council, which met remotely using Zoom, that coronavirus had impacted her family, making her think about everyone affected by, or helping to fight, the virus.

"Now, as we sit here on Zoom in our strange electronic world, we're reminded that we're in another lockdown," Coun Hey said.

"I know a few people have mentioned this evening that we are still in the grip of a terrible, hard-hitting virus.

"The experience of Covid-19 has been very close to my heart lately, or close to home, and an issue. It has impacted my family.

"It's obviously made me think a lot about the many families in Hereford city and the wider county.

"This evening I would like to say my thoughts go out to everyone who has lost a loved one, or who has a loved one who is seriously ill, or has suffered financial hardship or a family breakdown during a really difficult year."

Hereford City Council's full meeting on Tuesday which was held on Zoom

The mayor, who did not go into more detail about the effects on her family, also thanked city council staff and her fellow city councillors for support after the past year, which she said had been "a tough slog" at times.

"I would also like to take the opportunity to thank every single person who is working in a voluntary or paid capacity towards the cause of helping other people during the Covid crisis," she said.

"The list is endless, but NHS workers, emergency service workers, teachers, care staff, retail staff, transport workers, the list is exhaustive.

"I wanted to extend a big thank you from Hereford City Council for all the work that is being done out there to keep people safe.

Coun Hey added: "I would also like to make a special mention and embarras him now to my deputy mayor councillor Paul Stevens for his unending support to me over the last few months.

"He's done that having overcome his own serious illness, and has continued to work hard for teh city council, so I would like to extend a special thanks to him."

Councillor Paul Stevens, who is Deputy Mayor of Hereford

In reply, coun Stevens said: "Firstly, thank you for your kind words.

"Just to say I think you went beyond your duty as mayor in the first instance, so to thank you for your lifts over to Cheltenham.

"Just thank you very much for your help as well, I think we've made quite a good team in these last two years."