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UK year in pictures 2020

28 December 2020

We've picked a selection of our favourite pictures taken during the past year around the United Kingdom.

Youths take part in the Boys New Year's Ba' Game in Kirkwall, Orkney. Played with a hand-crafted leather ball, the street football match, which starts at the town's Mercat Cross, is between two teams, the Uppies and the Doonies.

Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images Orkadian youths take part in the Boys New Year's Ba' Game played with a hand crafted leather ball on 1 January 2020 in Kirkwall Scotland. — Youths take part in the Boys New Year's Ba' Game in Kirkwall, Orkney. Played with a hand-crafted leather ball, the street football match, which starts at the town's Mercat Cross, is between two teams, the Uppies and the Doonies.

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A park near Tewkesbury Abbey, Gloucestershire, is partially submerged after storms and heavy rain swept across the UK.

Ben Birchall/PA A rocking horse in a park is partially submerged in flood water around Tewkesbury Abbey, Gloucestershire, after storms and heavy rain across the UK. 16 January 2020 — A park near Tewkesbury Abbey, Gloucestershire, is partially submerged after storms and heavy rain swept across the UK.

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Brexit supporters gather in Parliament Square on 31 January to mark the UK's formal withdrawal from the European Union after 47 years of membership.

Henry Nicholls/Reuters A man waves a UK flag on Brexit day in London, Britain, 31 January 2020. — Brexit supporters gather in Parliament Square on 31 January to mark the UK's formal withdrawal from the European Union after 47 years of membership.

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Sharni Edwards (l) and Robyn Peoples became Northern Ireland's first legally married same-sex couple on 11 February. Same-sex marriage has been legal in England, Wales and Scotland since 2014.

Charles McQuillan/Getty Images Sharni Edwards (l) and Robyn Peoples, face the media after they became Northern Ireland's first legally married same sex couple on 11 February 2020 in Carrickfergus. — Sharni Edwards (l) and Robyn Peoples became Northern Ireland's first legally married same-sex couple on 11 February. Same-sex marriage has been legal in England, Wales and Scotland since 2014.

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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex made their final public appearances as working members of the Royal Family in March. They attended the Endeavour Fund Awards at Mansion House in London, with crowds of photographers jostling for a shot.

Samir Hussein/Getty Images Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend The Endeavour Fund Awards at Mansion House on 5 March 2020 in London, England. — The Duke and Duchess of Sussex made their final public appearances as working members of the Royal Family in March. They attended the Endeavour Fund Awards at Mansion House in London, with crowds of photographers jostling for a shot.

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Supermarkets urged shoppers not to buy more than necessary amid concern over coronavirus-linked stockpiling in March. Some shops began rationing the sales of certain products to avoid them selling out completely.

Yui Mok/PA A woman looks at empty shelves in a Sainsbury's store in London, 18 March 2020. — Supermarkets urged shoppers not to buy more than necessary amid concern over coronavirus-linked stockpiling in March. Some shops began rationing the sales of certain products to avoid them selling out completely.

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People enjoy the good weather by Three Shires Head on the River Dane, where Cheshire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire meet, as the public were reminded to practise social distancing following the relaxation of lockdown restrictions.

Jacob King/PA People enjoying the good weather by Three Shires Head on the River Dane, where Cheshire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire meet. 31 March 2020 — People enjoy the good weather by Three Shires Head on the River Dane, where Cheshire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire meet, as the public were reminded to practise social distancing following the relaxation of lockdown restrictions.

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A family in Cardiff clap to show their appreciation of NHS and other key workers. Members of the public were encouraged to applaud NHS staff, carers and other key workers from their homes and gardens, at 8pm every Thursday.

Matthew Horwood/Getty Images A family claps to show their appreciation for NHS and other key workers on 9 April 2020 in Cardiff, Wales — A family in Cardiff clap to show their appreciation of NHS and other key workers. Members of the public were encouraged to applaud NHS staff, carers and other key workers from their homes and gardens, at 8pm every Thursday.

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A war veteran who raised millions for the NHS, was sent more than 25,000 birthday cards. Captain Tom Moore, who was later knighted by the Queen, raised more than £27m by completing 100 laps of his garden before his 100th birthday.

Shaun Botterill/Getty Images Mandy Alison adds to the thousands of birthday cards sent to Captain Tom Moore for his 100th birthday on 30 April, are pictured displayed in the Hall of Bedford School. — A war veteran who raised millions for the NHS, was sent more than 25,000 birthday cards. Captain Tom Moore, who was later knighted by the Queen, raised more than £27m by completing 100 laps of his garden before his 100th birthday.

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Neonatal Nurse Kirsty Hartley carries Theo Anderson, who was born prematurely, to his mother Kirsty Anderson at Burnley General Hospital. The coronavirus pandemic has transformed the way that mothers, midwives and other hospital staff have had to deal with pregnancy and birth.

Hannah Mckay/Reuters Neonatal Nurse Kirsty Hartley carries Theo Anderson, who was born prematurely, to his mother Kirsty Anderson, in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the Lancashire Women and Newborn Centre at Burnley General Hospital, during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Burnley, East Lancashire, 15 May 2020. — Neonatal Nurse Kirsty Hartley carries Theo Anderson, who was born prematurely, to his mother Kirsty Anderson at Burnley General Hospital. The coronavirus pandemic has transformed the way that mothers, midwives and other hospital staff have had to deal with pregnancy and birth.

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In June, a statue of Edward Colston, a slave trader of the late 17th century who played a major role in the development of the city of Bristol, was torn down and pushed into Bristol Harbour during an anti-racism protest.

Giulia Spadafora/NurPhoto via Getty Image The statue of Colston is pushed into the River Avon. Edward Colston was a slave trader of the late 17th century who played a major role in the development of the city of Bristol, England, on 7 June 2020. — In June, a statue of Edward Colston, a slave trader of the late 17th century who played a major role in the development of the city of Bristol, was torn down and pushed into Bristol Harbour during an anti-racism protest.

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Heart shapes are sprayed onto the grass at Queen Square, Bristol, in an effort to encourage social distancing.

Matthew Horwood/Getty Images An aerial view of Queen Square where hearts have been sprayed onto the grass in an effort to encourage social distancing on 8 July 2020 in Bristol, England. — Heart shapes are sprayed onto the grass at Queen Square, Bristol, in an effort to encourage social distancing.

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Comet NEOWISE passes over Stonehenge in the early hours of 21 July. The comet, the brightest seen in the Northern Hemisphere in 25 years, was discovered by Nasa’s Near-Earth Object Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (NEOWISE) mission.

Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Comet NEOWISE passes over Stonehenge in the early hours of 21 July 2020 in Salisbury, England. — Comet NEOWISE passes over Stonehenge in the early hours of 21 July. The comet, the brightest seen in the Northern Hemisphere in 25 years, was discovered by Nasa’s Near-Earth Object Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (NEOWISE) mission.

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People flocked to Brighton beach during the hottest August day for 17 years, as temperatures reached more than 36C (96.8F) in south-east England. Councils had asked sun-seekers to practise social distancing, and stay away from beaches.

Mike Hewitt/Getty Images Brighton beach is packed as the South of England basks in a summer heatwave on 7 August 2020. — People flocked to Brighton beach during the hottest August day for 17 years, as temperatures reached more than 36C (96.8F) in south-east England. Councils had asked sun-seekers to practise social distancing, and stay away from beaches.

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A smiley face is picked out in the seeds of a sunflower as it comes to the end of its flowering at Little Heath Farm in Dunham Massey, Greater Manchester. Farmer Mark Jones created the fields to benefit local wildlife and create a picturesque landscape for walkers.

Christopher Furlong/Getty Images A smiley face is picked out in the seeds of a sunflower as it comes to the end of it's flowering at Little Heath Farm on 11 August 2020 in Dunham Massey. — A smiley face is picked out in the seeds of a sunflower as it comes to the end of its flowering at Little Heath Farm in Dunham Massey, Greater Manchester. Farmer Mark Jones created the fields to benefit local wildlife and create a picturesque landscape for walkers.

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Migrants packed tightly on a small inflatable boat bail water out, as they attempt to cross the English Channel near the Dover Strait, the world's busiest shipping lane. September was the busiest month on record for migrant Channel crossings.

Luke Dray/Getty Images Migrants packed tightly onto a small inflatable boat bail water out as they attempt to cross the English Channel near the Dover Strait, the world's busiest shipping lane, on 7 September 2020 off the coast of Dover, England. — Migrants packed tightly on a small inflatable boat bail water out, as they attempt to cross the English Channel near the Dover Strait, the world's busiest shipping lane. September was the busiest month on record for migrant Channel crossings.

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Anti-HS2 activists use tripods to block one of several entrances to the Chiltern Tunnel South Portal site for the proposed HS2 high-speed rail link, in West Hyde, southern England.

Mark Kerrison/In Pictures via Getty Images Anti-HS2 activists use tripods to block one of several entrances blocked to the Chiltern Tunnel South Portal site for the HS2 high-speed rail link on 9 October 2020 in West Hyde. — Anti-HS2 activists use tripods to block one of several entrances to the Chiltern Tunnel South Portal site for the proposed HS2 high-speed rail link, in West Hyde, southern England.

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A member of the military lays a wreath at Commando Memorial in Spean Bridge, to mark the sacrifice of service men and women who fought in the two World Wars and subsequent conflicts. People were asked to observe a two-minute silence on their doorsteps as Remembrance Sunday events across Scotland were cancelled.

Jeff J Mitchell / Getty Images A member of the military lays a wreath at Commando Memorial to commemorate and pay respect to the sacrifice of service men and women who fought in the two World Wars and subsequent conflicts in Spean Bridge, Scotland, 8 November 2020. — A member of the military lays a wreath at Commando Memorial in Spean Bridge, to mark the sacrifice of service men and women who fought in the two World Wars and subsequent conflicts. People were asked to observe a two-minute silence on their doorsteps as Remembrance Sunday events across Scotland were cancelled.

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Boys play in-front of a mural of Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford by Street artist Akse on the wall of the Coffee House Cafe, Withington. Rashford's work for the provision of free school meals in England during holidays and other support to low-income families prompted major changes in government policy.

Martin Rickett/PA Media A mural of Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford by Street artist Akse on the wall of the Coffee House Cafe on Copson Street, Withington. 8 November 2020. — Boys play in-front of a mural of Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford by Street artist Akse on the wall of the Coffee House Cafe, Withington. Rashford's work for the provision of free school meals in England during holidays and other support to low-income families prompted major changes in government policy.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks during a news conference in Downing Street on the situation with Covid-19, as the UK becomes the first country in the world to approve the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, paving the way for mass vaccination.

John Sibley-WPA/Getty Images Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks during a news conference on the ongoing situation with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), at Downing Street on 2 December 2020 in London, England. — Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks during a news conference in Downing Street on the situation with Covid-19, as the UK becomes the first country in the world to approve the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, paving the way for mass vaccination.

Margaret Keenan, 90, is the first patient in Britain to receive the Pfizer/BioNtech Covid-19 vaccine, at University Hospital, Coventry, at the start of the largest ever immunisation programme in British history.

Jacob King/via REUTERS Margaret Keenan, 90, is the first patient in Britain to receive the Pfizer/BioNtech COVID-19 vaccine at University Hospital, administered by nurse May Parsons, at the start of the largest ever immunisation programme in British history, in Coventry, 8 December 2020. — Margaret Keenan, 90, is the first patient in Britain to receive the Pfizer/BioNtech Covid-19 vaccine, at University Hospital, Coventry, at the start of the largest ever immunisation programme in British history.

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Chloe Kennedy receives a Mary Quant makeover at the Mid-Century Modern exhibition at the Dovecot Studio in Edinburgh.

Jane Barlow/PA Media Chloe Kennedy receives a Mary Quant makeover during a visit to the Mid-Century Modern exhibition at the Dovecot Studio in Edinburgh. — Chloe Kennedy receives a Mary Quant makeover at the Mid-Century Modern exhibition at the Dovecot Studio in Edinburgh.

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Jessica Walker and Nicola Foster, known as the Lido Ladies, pose by the pool at sunrise before swimming at Charlton Lido in Hornfair Park, London, on its first day of reopening after the second national lockdown.

Victoria Jones/PA Media Jessica Walker and Nicola Foster posing by the pool during sunrise before swimming at Charlton Lido in Hornfair Park, London, on its first day of reopening after the second national lockdown ended. — Jessica Walker and Nicola Foster, known as the Lido Ladies, pose by the pool at sunrise before swimming at Charlton Lido in Hornfair Park, London, on its first day of reopening after the second national lockdown.

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Jupiter and Saturn are seen relatively close together in the night sky, over the sails of Brill windmill in Buckinghamshire, appearing to the naked eye as a "double planet". It's the closest "great conjunction" since 1623.

Jim Dyson/Getty Images Jupiter and Saturn are seen coming together in the night sky, over the sails of Brill windmill, England. 20 December 2020 — Jupiter and Saturn are seen relatively close together in the night sky, over the sails of Brill windmill in Buckinghamshire, appearing to the naked eye as a "double planet". It's the closest "great conjunction" since 1623.

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All photographs are copyrighted.

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