To mark the national Covid-19 Day of Reflection last week, a group of Ysgol Treffynnon students created tags for members of the community to write messages in remembrance of loved ones.

Staff from Holywell Town Council approached the school to involve students in their plans for the day. The idea of making commemorative tags that could be tied to the railings outside the council offices was agreed and students from Years 7 to 9 designed 50 individual pieces for the event.

Art teacher Gayle Sissons worked with the students on the craft project.

She said: "It has been such a difficult time for everyone during this pandemic. When we were asked to get involved with Holywell Town Council for the Day of Reflection commemoration event, it was a lovely opportunity to work with the children using art as a way of looking back over the past year.

"I am so proud of the thought and effort that the students put into making the tags and their appreciation of what they mean for the community."

The town's Mayor, Cllr Lynda Carter, was present for the Day of Reflection event and met the students.

She said: "The Day of Reflection was such an important day for everyone to come together and reflect on the grief and loss that people have gone through over the past year. I hope this is going to be an annual event.

"It was wonderful to see the students and to have them involved. Young people have been hugely impacted throughout the pandemic and naturally have their own concerns around Covid-19, so it felt that this was some way of supporting them too. The tags they made are beautiful, it was obvious that they had put a lot of work into making them.

"It was good to see local people putting their messages on the tags. The people of Holywell have really come together to support each other through these difficult times; the whole community has been fantastic."

The council displayed a banner on the building inviting people to join in the National Day of Reflection. A minute's silence was observed at midday and, in the evening, the building was lit up in yellow to commemorate the day. People came to light candles or shine a light in memory of those who had lost their lives.

John Weir, headteacher, said: "I am pleased to see the school and the Town Council working closely together to support the community during this difficult time. Our thoughts go out to all those who have lost loved ones."