It has been a feature on 12th May for notable landmarks to be illuminated in blue (the colour designated for ME) in solidarity with all those affected. In 2022 Perth was bathed in blue for the night, 2023 was marked in a similar fashion by landmarks in Glasgow, and last year Inverclyde answered ME Research UK’s call.
This year, the four constituent nations of the UK unite to mark International ME Awareness Day 2025 with Northern Ireland Assembly’s Parliament Buildings, Belfast City Hall, Gateshead Millennium Bridge, Cardiff Castle, Edinburgh, Perth, and Aberdeen Council’s HQ illuminated in blue in honour of those affected by ME and to raise awareness of the disease.
Once the tallest building in London (until superceded in 1981 by the NatWest Tower), the 177-metre (600ft) structure was opened in 1965 by then Prime Minister Harold Wilson and has been known at various times as the GPO tower, Telecom Tower, and the BT Tower. It was also famous for its revolving restaurant – run by Billy Butlin, of Butlin’s holiday camps. The restaurant took 22 minutes to fully rotate and was popular due to its expansive views stretching across central London. The viewing platform below the restaurant was closed after a terrorist bombing in 1971, but the restaurant closed only in 1980.
The Tower starred in the Kitten Kong episode of The Goodies and its opening was marked by the issue of UK commemorative stamps in 1965.