Published: Thursday, 5th November 2020
Members of the public are being reminded to mark Remembrance Day at home as plans are made for a small Covid-safe closed event in Tower Gardens on Sunday 8 November 2020.
In line with the guidelines issued under the new national restrictions, the service will be limited to just six civic representatives and time slots will be allocated for 18 individuals who will be laying wreaths on behalf of their community organisations.
The service will be short and there will be track and trace measures in place. This year’s event will see no procession but a lone bugler will be on hand to mark the occasion.
In attendance for the brief, socially distanced service, as well as the Mayor of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk, will be the Bishop of Lynn, James Wild MP, and Deputy Lieutenant James Bagge, along with a small number of military representatives.
The Mayor’s Cadet Corporal Bailey Naish of King’s Lynn 42F Air Training Corps Sqn has been asked by the Mayor to lay a Civic Wreath on behalf of all of the young people from within the borough.
The Mayor of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk, Cllr Geoff Hipperson, has reminded members of the public that due to new national restrictions, they must stay at home:
“Remembrance Sunday is a significant and important date in the calendar and whilst this year we cannot mark it as we usually would, we will still be able to commemorate the occasion with a closed service that meets the guidance.
“We have made every effort to make sure that we can have a meaningful ceremony on behalf of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk whilst ensuring we are Covid safe.
“I know that many, many people have turned up to pay their respects in the past and whilst this isn’t possible this year, I hope you will still be able to join us at home and at 11am, remember with us.”
Children will be adding a splash of colour to the closed ceremony at Tower Gardens with their own recycled poppies. Stories of Lynn invited local school children to make poppies from recycled plastic, which will be collected from schools and displayed in the Tower Gardens, ensuring that the community can be involved in some way in the service. The Mayor will view the children’s poppies when he lays his wreath on Sunday.
Councillor Elizabeth Nockolds, Portfolio Holder for Culture, Heritage and Health, said: “Regrettably, we have had to cancel many events and gatherings this year as a result of the coronavirus. We are pleased, however, that we will be able to mark Remembrance Day - such a significant date – with this small, safe service.
“I know it may be a disappointment to many who have helped to mark the occasion in previous years, but I would urge you to please join in at home as we remember and pay our respects.”
In addition to this St Faith’s Church in Gaywood regret to announce that, for the sake of public health, there will be no public Act of Remembrance at the Gaywood Clock in King’s Lynn this year.
The Tower Gardens service will be streamed live on the borough council’s Facebook page and will be available afterwards on YouTube.
At the eleventh hour they invite you to remember with them from your homes.