Remembrance Sunday will again be commemorated across Trafford this year – but, unfortunately, with a number of changes due to the coronavirus epidemic.
Government restrictions around limitations on gatherings mean there will be just one Remembrance service representing the whole of Trafford on Sunday 8 November. The service, with limited numbers from the Armed Forces, Council and community, will be by invitation only and will not be open to the public. It will filmed and shown live on the Council’s YouTube channel.
As part of the restrictions, residents are also being reminded not to congregate at the cenotaphs at 11am on 8 or 11 November. Wreaths may be laid from 8 November although not between 10am and 12noon on November 8 and 11. Instead, residents are encouraged to hold a two minutes silence on their doorsteps to remember the brave servicemen and women who gave their lives for our freedom.
The Royal British Legion has suggested a wide range of activities to help residents mark this most important date in a Covid-safe manner. These include holding a small Remembrance service in your garden for your household; hosting an online Remembrance service or activity; creating an online exhibition of Remembrance related photos from local residents; opening an online book of Remembrance that family, friends and others can sign as a mark of Remembrance, and writing letters of Remembrance to veterans or serving personnel.
For more information on suggestions to mark Remembrance, please go to the Royal British Legion website. Please send your pictures to Trafford Council at social@trafford.gov.uk and we will put them on social media.
Cllr Judith Lloyd, Trafford Council’s Armed Forces Champion, said:
“Remembrance is a special time for all our communities and, as usual, we will be remembering all of our brave Armed Forces members past and present who gave their lives for this country. Unfortunately, this year is going to be different because of the Government restrictions relating to coronavirus.
So I would please ask that all members of our communities follow the rules this year when preparing to pay their tributes to our fallen heroes. Please don’t congregate at the War Memorials at 11am on the 8 and 11 November and only lay wreaths at the allocated times. I am deeply saddened to be having to ask people to do this but we have no choice. Our priority is for everyone to be able to mark this very special and moving occasion in a safe manner. It is vital that people across all our communities are safe and protected from the coronavirus epidemic during Remembrance.
We will be filming the Remembrance Service on Sunday 8 November so that everyone can watch it live in the safety of their own homes and to pay their tributes on the day. Thank you to everyone for your co-operation in these troubled times.”
Posted on Friday 30th October 2020