Fran Hall
Volunteer & Trustee at The National Covid Memorial Wall Charity & CEO of the Good Funeral Guide CIC.
Still hanging on at the other place in defiance.
- Proud to be one of the Paddington Four 👊🏻
- Two years ago today, these warriors stood up for our beloved dead at the @ukcovid-19inquiry.bsky.social. ❤️ #CovidInquiry
- Reposted by Fran HallLast week, following the Government's recent announcement that the Wall is to be preserved, BBC London met up with @franfd.bsky.social and @loreleiking.bsky.social, two of our volunteers and trustees. The piece was then picked up by national news.
- Reposted by Fran HallA year ago today we were at the #CovidInquiry in support of our fellow bereaved. ❤️
- Thanks guys. Am furious that this is still a thing. Five years since Steve died from it.
- We will be one volunteer down tomorrow. Sending huge love and hoping our Chair @franfd.bsky.social is on the mend soon. 😔♥️ Covid is not over.
- This is such a cool idea - this book is an incredible, powerful chronology of thoughts, reflections & poetry about an extraordinary time, fast receding into the public’s collective memories. @amycortvriend.bsky.social @lucygobag.bsky.social @jennyedkins.bsky.social @kandidapurnell.bsky.social
- We would like to #BuyAStrangerABook - "When This Is Over: Reflections on an Unequal Pandemic," which has a section on the Wall, including a contribution from one of our trustees, @franfd.bsky.social. ❤️
- Reposted by Fran HallIt's #buyastrangerabook day! @covidmemorialwall.bsky.social is offering to buy someone a copy of "When This Is Over : Reflections on an Unequal Pandemic" which has a section on the Wall, including a contribution from a trustee, @franfd.bsky.social If you'd like a copy, just let us know. UK only.
- We would like to #BuyAStrangerABook - "When This Is Over: Reflections on an Unequal Pandemic," which has a section on the Wall, including a contribution from one of our trustees, @franfd.bsky.social. ❤️
- Reposted by Fran HallWe have only just seen this - we are so grateful for the support of our beautiful memorial. ❤️
- Reposted by Fran HallThe National Covid Memorial Wall is now a registered charity! ❤️🥳
- Reposted by Fran HallDirect cremation. Such interesting responses to our questionnaire are coming in, reflecting a wide spectrum of thoughts. Have you had this experience? Tell us about it here: www.goodfuneralguide.co.uk/direct-crema... #directcremation
- Reposted by Fran HallDogs at funerals - we love to see them! When you’re saying goodbye to someone you love and a dog is part of your family, bringing them to the funeral can help everyone. #funerals #funeralsmatter #dogsarefamily
- Reposted by Fran HallThank you to journalist Emma Beddington for acknowledging that covid grief is complex, that the covid bereaved - having been deprived of normal mourning rituals - are not ready, may never be ready, to 'celebrate'.
- Reposted by Fran HallThe weight of grief. Carrying the coffin of someone you love. They are your person, and if you want to do this, then you can. Bearing the weight of your person in their coffin can help to imprint the reality of their death as you begin to navigate life without them. Funerals matter.
- Reposted by Fran HallThat last touch - such a powerful moment. Sometimes, people feel unsure about what’s allowed or what’s appropriate at a funeral. It’s absolutely ok to touch the coffin, to let your hand linger as you say goodbye to your person. #funeralsmatter
- Reposted by Fran HallA good day with some of my fellow @covidmemorialwall.bsky.social volunteers - Kirsten, Gill, @franfd.bsky.social, and @rum7.bsky.social. After an encouraging meeting with DCMS about the future of the wall, we took ourselves off for a bevvie and a debrief. There may have been halloumi chips. #london
- Reposted by Fran HallDirect Cremation. A rapidly growing alternative to a funeral that is heavily marketed on daytime TV, yet there is little research into how bereaved people feel about it. We have created an anonymous questionnaire which can be found here: www.goodfuneralguide.co.uk/direct-crema... Please share!
- Reposted by Fran HallIt's hard to believe how faded the hearts were before the Friends of the Wall stepped up to restore them. Our covid dead will never be forgotten. ❤️ #ThrowbackThursday
- Reposted by Fran HallVolunteer @franfd.bsky.social read this beautiful, difficult poem at the wall during our anniversary event on Saturday. ❤️ #ForOurHusbands
- Reposted by Fran HallThis is an incredibly difficult weekend for the millions of people in the UK who are bereaved by covid. ❤️
- Reposted by Fran HallPart 3. ❤️
- Reposted by Fran HallPart 2. ❤️
- Reposted by Fran HallWe're in love with the drone footage of our #DayOfReflection event (taken by the amazing Tolga Akmen) - for those who couldn't be there, here's a bird's eye view. ❤️
- Reposted by Fran HallWe are devastated at this news. We send our deepest sympathies to Ondine's family and friends and to all at @longcovidsos.bsky.social for the loss of this inspirational, brave warrior. ❤️
- We are 100% going to do our damnedest tomorrow to place the beautiful souls lost to covid-19 in the memory of the living. ❤️
- On the eve of the Covid-19 #DayOfReflection - good night from us. ❤️
- Reposted by Fran HallGood night from us. ❤️
- Reposted by Fran HallLove these! We have a limited supply of these beautiful candles available to buy. (Details in video) We'll be lighting one at our Covid19 National Day of Reflection event on 9th March at around 11:20am. We're live streaming through Facebook, and would love you to light a candle with us. ❤️
- Reposted by Fran HallStrategy meeting for our Day of Reflection event at the wall on March 9th. Late night meeting, as it was the only time all 10 volunteers could make it. Productive meeting, awesome team! ❤️
- ‘When Maggie met Juno’ The sweetest little Boston Terrier puppy came to play today - Maggie is the newest family dog, and it was so important that our beautiful rescue American Bulldog Juno tolerated her crazy puppy energy! All went well - we think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship!
- So appreciative of my lovely friend @loreleiking.bsky.social for bringing roses to the @covidmemorialwall.bsky.social today for Gareth, Gina, Steve - and for her own beloved Valentine, Vince. 💔💔💔💔
- Reposted by Fran HallThinking especially today of our volunteers who lost their sweethearts. 💔 #ValentinesDay
- Reposted by Fran HallSomething @tigresseleanor.bsky.social posted in the other place last month. Eleanor knew #CovidIsNotOver and worked tirelessly to help us ensure that our covid dead will not be forgotten. ❤️ "No one gets left behind."
- Reposted by Fran HallSome of the volunteers are watching the @netflix.com series 'The Diplomat'. It's amazing to see this beautiful memorial to our beloved dead becoming an accepted and permanent part of the London landscape. ❤️ #London #TheDiplomat #MakeTheWallPermanent
- Reposted by Fran HallThe 16-strong fundraising team covered over 20 miles and reached altitudes over 2000m. They named it the "it’s ok trek".
- Such gorgeous people, and so incredibly generous. The wall is so important to so many of us ❤️❤️❤️❤️
- Reposted by Fran HallWe are in for a series of grim five-year anniversaries. Yet many of us feel we are no further along, we have learned nothing, and our experiences have been squandered.
- A Chinese doctor who tried to issue the first warning about the deadly coronavirus outbreak died five years ago today. Dr Li Wenliang contracted the virus while working at Wuhan Central Hospital. He had warned of the virus on 30 December but was told to stop making 'false comments.' #covid19
- Reposted by Fran HallA Chinese doctor who tried to issue the first warning about the deadly coronavirus outbreak died five years ago today. Dr Li Wenliang contracted the virus while working at Wuhan Central Hospital. He had warned of the virus on 30 December but was told to stop making 'false comments.' #covid19
- Reposted by Fran HallAfter having watched @channel5tv.bsky.social's 'The Michelle Mone Scandal', the volunteers think the documentary should have ended with a shot along the memorial wall to show the real cost of what they did. ❤️
- Reposted by Fran HallRecommended #SundayReading: 'When this is over: reflections on an unequal pandemic', with a chapter written by volunteer @franfd.bsky.social ♥️
- Reposted by Fran HallA very emotional moment, hearing our beautiful wall and its volunteers, the Friends of the Wall, mentioned in Parliament by Pat McFadden (Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster), who visited us at the wall earlier this week. ❤️
- Reposted by Fran HallJust a reminder, we have our own online tribute site, where anyone bereaved by covid can upload a photo and a dedication. Those who think covid was ‘just a cold’ would do well to spend time looking at some of these faces, & reading the words of grief. nationalcovidmemorialwall.dedicationpage.org
- A fifth #WinterSolstice with a hole in my heart.
- For many of us, it feels like the light may never return... ♥️ Wishing you peace this #WinterSolstice.
- These guys are our heroes. Love you @ledbydonkeys.org ❤️❤️❤️❤️
- It was such an honour for the volunteers to attend the @ledbydonkeys.org book launch earlier this year. We are so grateful: without them, there would be no memorial wall. ♥️ #ThrowbackThursday
- A whole lot of organising for the volunteers, but these should be two very special days. More info will follow as we confirm details and timings for both dates.
- Two dates for your diary: Today @dcmsgovuk.bsky.social and @lisanandymp.bsky.social announced March 9th as the 2025 Day of Reflection. March 29th 2025 is the 4th anniversary of the memorial wall. We will be holding events at the wall on both days. ♥️
- I remember the absolute fury that inspired us to do this - the disbelief that those in power had partied with complete impunity while our beloved people died alone, suitcases of wine being wheeled into Downing Street while funeral wakes were forbidden. Just recalling it now still makes me rage.
- Hard to believe it was three years ago today that some of our volunteers (including @rum7.bsky.social @franfd.bsky.social @ahm93.bsky.social @kaffb.bsky.social @aegrange.bsky.social @gillyl.bsky.social) took their own cheese and wine party to Downing Street in response to #partygate revelations.
- Reposted by Fran HallThe small team of volunteers spend many hours painstakingly restoring faded hearts at the wall. Time-consuming, but worth it when you see the results. ♥️ #TransformationTuesday
- Reposted by Fran Hall♥️
- Reposted by Fran HallHow can the CNOs of the four nations justify ignoring this letter from such eminent authorities for six weeks? How many people will have been infected as a direct consequence of the ongoing, wholly inadequate IPC guidance in this time? How many will die? HOW is this silence acceptable??
- www.bapen.org.uk/pdfs/covid-1... Still no response to our request for urgent update of IPC guidance to follow actual up to date science as heard in Covid inquiry.
- Truly one of the moments in my life I’m most proud of.
- A year ago, these volunteers challenged former PM Boris Johnson's apology at the UK #CovidInquiry with a silent, standing protest and were ejected from the hearing room for refusing to sit down. ♥️ Kirsten, @rum7.bsky.social, @kaffb.bsky.social, and @franfd.bsky.social. #ThrowbackThursday
- Reposted by Fran HallAlmost 3,000 of the hearts on our wall are for health care workers & social care workers who died from covid-19. In this compelling interview, David outlines how these people were so unforgivably let down by those in power who ignored advice from experts who were so desperately seeking change. 💔
- Brilliant 30min talk by David Osborne talking about PPE, the catastrophic failures to protect frontline workers during the pandemic, reflections from Module 3 of the COVID inquiry and lessons for the future. www.pslhub.org/learn/invest...
- @ledbydonkeys.org speaking truth to power. Again. ❤️ youtu.be/WMwqhdVV5as
- Currently being discussed on @lbc.co.uk by @mrjamesob.bsky.social - a long time supporter and amplifier of the importance of @covidmemorialwall.bsky.social ❤️
- The new covid corruption commissioner has started work this week. We wish him well in his investigations. State failures led to many of the hearts on our wall, and those responsible must pay. Justice must be done - we owe it to those who we mourn. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
- Reposted by Fran HallThe new covid corruption commissioner has started work this week. We wish him well in his investigations. State failures led to many of the hearts on our wall, and those responsible must pay. Justice must be done - we owe it to those who we mourn. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
- Reposted by Fran HallDecember is a hard month for many of us who have lost someone, and the volunteers at the wall know this more than most. Thinking of all who are facing the festive season while grieving. ♥️ #December
- Reposted by Fran HallFriday’s momentous vote on the Assisted Dying Bill will potentially change the way we live and die here in England and Wales. On today’s blog, we mark this significant move and welcome the conversations it will undoubtedly bring. www.goodfuneralguide.co.uk/2024/12/assi...
- Reposted by Fran HallWe won't forget. ♥️
- Forgetting is a curse & a necessity. We want to move on but must at the same time remember the events of the pandemic accurately, to learn the right lessons & better prepare for whatever the future holds. My thanks to the @covidinquiryuk team for this work. youtu.be/4wSYxatO2cU?...
- That was an emotional evening! It was lovely to meet both @peterstefanovic.bsky.social and @carolvorderman.bsky.social in real life too!
- This #ThrowbackThursday, remembering being at the screening of @doctoroxford.bsky.social's powerful 'Breathtaking' with @carolvorderman.bsky.social, @peterstefanovic.bsky.social, and @covidmemorialwall.bsky.social volunteers. This #Thanksgiving, being thankful for these indefatigable fighters. ❤️
- Reposted by Fran HallDe Saleyhan Ahsan's devastating testimony at the covid inquiry. On 111: "My heart goes out to people who had loved ones in desperate need...The minutes would have dragged like hours and the hours would have dragged like days as they waited for someone to come. And there was no one to come." ♥️
- So beautifully and truthfully expressed Michelle ❤️
- Some of the volunteers came to witness the testimony of their fellow covid-bereaved. @rum7.bsky.social explains why. ♥️
- Ah thank you for sharing this ❤️ Making mandalas for him has a similar feeling as helping care for the wall - painting hearts and writing dedications on behalf of others is something practical to do that helps channel this grief.
- Reposted by Fran HallAt the covid inquiry today, Matt Hancock was forced to look in our direction as we held up pictures of our lost loved ones. He was also forced to look at a photograph of our beautiful wall, displayed in the hearing room, where nearly a quarter million of our beloved covid dead are remembered. ♥️
- Reposted by Fran HallWell, we saw him off after another morning of his laying the blame everywhere other than at his own feet. These were the photos that we held on our laps in the front row of the public gallery for two days, while we listened to the disgraced former Secretary of State answer questions.
- Reposted by Fran HallIt’s a bitter morning - in both senses - as some of the wall volunteer team head back to the #CovidInquiry to bear witness to the disgraced former Secretary of State for Health & Social Care answering questions for a second day in this module.
- The contrast between the genuine, wrenching recollections of Professor Fong and the insincere, self-serving, frequently repeated boasts of ‘I was there, I did shifts in hospitals to hear from people on the ground’ testimony from Hancock today couldn’t have been greater.
- An excerpt of this was played to Matt Hancock today in the hearing room at the covid inquiry. Professor Fong's powerful testimony again moved many to tears. #CovidInquiry
- Reposted by Fran HallMatt Hancock's testimony at the covid inquiry is finished for today. He will be back tomorrow. As will the memorial wall volunteers. ♥️
- Reposted by Fran HallWonderful article by @honigsbaum.bsky.social on why the national covid memorial wall is so important. ♥️ #MakeTheWallPermanent theconversation.com/why-are-thos...
- Reposted by Fran HallEarlier this year, @franfd.bsky.social, @rum7.bsky.social, and I spoke to Southwark News about why it's important to #MakeTheWallPermanent.
- We are still awaiting the government's response to the Commission for Covid Commemorations' recommendation that the national covid memorial wall be made permanent. Earlier this year, three of our volunteers spoke to Southwark News about its importance. ♥️ southwarknews.co.uk/area/south-b...
- Reposted by Fran HallNow that we know @michelrouxjr.bsky.social is here, we'd like to thank him personally for mentioning our beautiful wall in this lovely interview. ♥️
- We are so moved to see chef Michel Roux mentioning the national covid memorial wall as one of his favourite places in #london in this interview with @michelinguide.bsky.social Thank you! The wall means so much to so many. ♥️ guide.michelin.com/gb/en/articl...
- So wonderful to read this!
- We are so moved to see chef Michel Roux mentioning the national covid memorial wall as one of his favourite places in #london in this interview with @michelinguide.bsky.social Thank you! The wall means so much to so many. ♥️ guide.michelin.com/gb/en/articl...
- Reposted by Fran HallThere is currently a consultation into reform of UK Burial and Cremation law underway, closing on January 9th. Run by The Law Commission, this is a long awaited opportunity to bring law in this area into the 21st century. Do please take a look & add your thoughts. lawcom.gov.uk/project/buri...
- Spent this afternoon at a round table with the Law Commission hearing about the long awaited proposed reforms to burial and cremation law. Fascinating and impressive - and enhanced by catching up with old friends and progressive funeral directors ❤️ Lovely to see you @jojoloveridge.bsky.social xxx
- Reposted by Fran HallIncredibly powerful from Ben Jennings. This is how the volunteers feel. ❤
