London welcomed in 2021 with a stunning light and fireworks show on the Thames, featuring tributes to the NHS, Captain Tom Moore and the Black Lives Matter movement.
Amid fireworks, several images were shown in the sky above the O2 Arena through the use of 300 drones, one of which showed the NHS logo in a heart while a child said: Thank you NHS heroes.
A huge drone-formed outline of Capt Moore standing with his walking frame and giving a thumbs-up also shone over the arena. The captain raised £33m this year by walking in his back garden, and a chorus of voices called: Thanks Captain Tom.
There was also a joke about working from home during the new normal of 2020, with a mute symbol filling the sky along with the words: No, youre on mute.
The display began with a poem: “In the year of 2020 a new virus came our way; We knew what must be done and so to help we hid away.”
Read more
There was also a tribute for BAME NHS workers, with a voice talking about “so many of the nurses and doctors and consultants and cleaners, the helping hands guiding us through this storm”.
The Black Lives Matter movement also received recognition with the display of its clenched-fist symbol, which became recognised worldwide amid the protests following the death of George Floyd in police custody in Minnesota in May.
The show ended with a rallying call from Sir David Attenborough, who said: “Our planet is unique – a living world of diversity and wonder. It’s also fragile.
“With a new year comes the opportunity for change, and if we act in 2021 we can make a world of difference.
“Together we can turn things around. Together we can restore our fragile home, and make it a happy new year for all the inhabitants of planet Earth.”
The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said although crowds along the river were banned this year due to coronavirus restrictions, the display reflected the resolve of Londoners to endure despite the pandemic.
“I’m proud that the eyes of the world turned to our capital to see a unique drone, lighting and firework show that reflected on the defining moments of this year, paid tribute to our NHS heroes and the way that Londoners continue to stand together, and showed why our city is the greatest in the world,” Mr Khan said in a statement.
“We showed how our capital and the UK have made huge sacrifices to support one another through these difficult times, and how they will continue to do so as the vaccine is rolled out.”
New Years Eve in the capital was quiet, the chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation, Ken Marsh, said.
Sporadic gatherings of people “who just won’t take note of what is being said” were quickly dealt with by officers and smaller gatherings were also dispersed, he added.
He told BBC Breakfast: “I think the public have really cottoned on that this is really serious, the position that we are in, and we did not see the numbers we thought we would.”read more
London New Year light show pays tribute to NHS, Captain Tom and Black Lives Matter
