Remebrance in Adur and Worthing: people urged to mark occasion at home

People are being encouraged to observer Remembrance Sunday and Armistice day from the safety of their homes.
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Commemorative events to pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice are to go ahead despite the pandemic.

In previous years, Worthing has marked Remembrance Sunday with a March Past and service at the War Memorial, outside the Town Hall.

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Representatives of the armed forces and local organisations are normally joined by thousands of members of the public wishing to pay their respects.

Remembrance in Adur and Worthing will be a little different this yearRemembrance in Adur and Worthing will be a little different this year
Remembrance in Adur and Worthing will be a little different this year

This year, because of Covid-19, the usual events will not be taking place.

Instead, a church service, which will be invitation-only, led by the mayor’s chaplain and attended by a limited number of guests including representatives of the armed forces, is being organised. A two-minute silence will be observed during the service.

To comply with social distancing measures and ensure public safety, members of the public are urged not to attend the Town Hall War Memorial on Remembrance Sunday, but to commemorate the day and observe the two-minute silence from the safety of their own homes.

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A Garden of Remembrance will also be open until November 11, for people to pay their respects privately

Worthing mayor Lionel Harman said: “It is with a heavy heart that we have had to make the decision not to commemorate Remembrance Sunday in the way that we would like, and have done, in Worthing for the last 100 years, owing to the Covid pandemic. I would encourage everyone from the safety of our own homes to stand at 11am for the two-minute silence to remember and reflect on the sacrifices that were made by so many for us all.”

Adur and Worthing councils have worked closely with local organisations that represent the armed forces, the Cadet units and the Scouts to plan this year’s commemorations, following guidance from the government and the Royal British Legion regarding Remembrance Sunday events.

Church services, organised by the Royal British Legion, will be taking place in Shoreham, Southwick and Lancing.

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The pandemic has also affected this year’s Poppy Appeal, but people can still support the Royal British Legion – click here for more details.

Adur District Council chairman Andy McGregor, Chairman said: “Due to the Covid pandemic, we are having to continually review our events to ensure public safety.

“It is important that we are able to pay tribute to those who lost their lives following two World Wars and other conflicts and mark Remembrance Sunday with the respect and dignity it deserves, but in a way that ensures the safety of our community.”

The situation is the same in the Arun district, where, normally, veterans, dignitaries and residents of all ages turn out in great numbers to remember and pay their respects to those who have and fought and continue to fight for our country – but not this year.

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Arun District Council leader James Walsh said: “The pandemic that we are all living through means that we are encouraging all members of the public to pay their respects from the safety of our own homes.

“The restrictions in place across Arun mean that we cannot gather in numbers.

“Marking Remembrance Sunday and Armistice day and ensuring younger generations are aware of the importance of never forgetting the sacrifices made is no less important.

“Keeping Arun safe is vital and, it is with sadness, but the utmost seriousness, that I ask you not to attend any wreath laying ceremonies that may be taking part in towns and parishes but to observe the silence in quiet reflection in our homes or on our doorsteps.”