Residents urged to take part in Remembrance Sunday's two minute doorstep silence

Remembrance Sunday this year is set to be a very different occasion as so many services across the UK are strictly limited on the numbers who are allowed to attend to pay their respects
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That's why this newspaper, along with its sister titles across the country, is inviting all our readers to join us in a two minute doorstep silence this Remembrance Sunday, to ensure we still remember in 2020 even if we cannot join together in Acts of Remembrance.

In our newspaper we will publish a special Poppy Poster, backed by the Royal British Legion, which we encourage people to display in their windows, or to hold, as they stand on their doorsteps to observe a two minute silence at 11am on Remembrance Sunday.

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And we urge everyone this weekend to show their support for Remembrance Sunday by buying a poppy if they are able, or by making a donation to the Royal British Legion.This year more than ever, the Poppy Appeal needs our help as local lockdowns, and more people working from home, limits the opportunities for many people to buy a poppy.

Show your support for Remembrance Sunday by buying a poppy or by making a donation to the Royal British Legion.Show your support for Remembrance Sunday by buying a poppy or by making a donation to the Royal British Legion.
Show your support for Remembrance Sunday by buying a poppy or by making a donation to the Royal British Legion.

HM Lord-Lieutenant of West Sussex Mrs Susan Pyper said: "This is a difficult and worrying year for us all, not least for those members of the Armed Forces family who desperately need the support of the Royal British Legion.

"This year please help them if you are able to make just a small donation: every penny matters, every poppy matters. And this Sunday from your own home, please take a couple of minutes at 11am to remember those who have given so much for our country. Together, we should remember them."

Dr Timothy Fooks FRCGP, High Sheriff of West Sussex said: "All the freedoms we enjoy today were bought through the sacrifice of many in the past. We can never repay the debt we owe to them, but on Remembrance Sunday we can spend two minutes in silence as a mark of our respect and gratitude. Earlier in this extraordinary year, we stood on our doorsteps to clap for the NHS, so let us now stand together again, wherever we are this Sunday, to remember those who gave their lives for us."

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The Bishop of Chichester Dr Martin Warner said: "The silence of Remembrance Day observations is very important to us.

"This silence crosses boundaries of language, time and space and unites us with people who have given their lives for a better, more just and peaceful world. Silence also reminds us of grief that cannot be put into words, and the crimes of inhumanity that are also part of war and conflict.

"Silence is also space in which we can sense the presence of God and prayers can be framed."

Janet Duncton, Chairman West Sussex County Council, her Vice Chairman and the Dean of Chichester Cathedral, recorded a service in the foyer of County Hall, this year. "Unfortunately this was without the members of staff who generally join us to remember those during two world wars who fought and some who gave their lives for us. We laid a wreath on the memorial."

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On Sunday November 8 she will take part in the memorial service at St Mary’s Church in Petworth and lay a wreath on behalf of West Sussex County Council. She will also lay a wreath at Holy Trinity Church Ebernoe and on the 11th will be attending the remembrance day Service at St Mary’s in Petworth.

"This year of course both in Chichester and Petworth there are no parades. However, I will lay a wreath at the Chichester War Memorial.

"Petworth Town Band have made a webcast with several of us reading a line from the remembrance poem. Ben Streeter from the Town Band and Nathan Fynnes organised this and Nathan will play the Last Post. I had the privilege of reading the line ‘At the going down of the Sun’, this will be used with others reading the other lines.

"There are many parishes in West Sussex and this year we have asked councillors if they can lay wreaths at more than one and many are doing just that.

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"Covid 19 will make our lives difficult but nothing compared to those that we remember and ‘WE WILL REMEMBER THEM’."

The Director of Fundraising for the Royal British Legion, Claire Rowcliffe, said: "In a year where our homes and streets have developed new meaning for us all, and with many people not able to donate in their usual way, we are bringing the Poppy Appeal 2020 right to the hearts of individuals, families and communities across the UK with a variety of ways for people to get involved, whatever their circumstances.

"Whilst the Covid-19 pandemic undoubtedly makes running the Appeal more difficult, the additional hardships it has brought about means our work is now more vital than ever. The pandemic has had a devastating impact on people’s livelihoods and way of life, leaving some in the Armed Forces community in dire need of urgent help and support. We are seeing people struggling to cope with the loss of loved ones, facing homelessness and unemployment and battling mental health issues

"Every poppy makes a difference to the lives of our Armed Forces community. Whilst you may have to do something different to support the Poppy Appeal this year, every poppy counts so thank you to this newspaper for your fantastic support.”