No marching troops for Salisbury's Remembrance Sunday this year

Covid-19 means Salisbury City Council have had to revise arrangements for the this year's Act of Remembrance.

Coronavirus restrictions mean city bosses are unable to encourage large gatherings of residents to pay their respects on Remembrance Sunday.

It means there'll be no marching troops, no cadets present and no service at St Thomas' Church.

This year, in partnership with the Salisbury Branch of the Royal British Legion and St Thomas' Church, the Mayor will lead the City's Act of Remembrance supported by Royal British Legion, a small civic party, representatives of the Armed Forces and fellow Councillors.

A limited number of wreaths will be laid with the Mayor laying his wreath on behalf of all residents of the City.

Residents are encouraged to make their own individual tributes over a longer period - the War Memorial will have turf placed upon it between Mon 2nd Nov and Mon 30th Nov so that personal acts of remembrance can take place before and after Remembrance Sunday, and wreaths can be laid during this time.

The Mayor of the City of Salisbury, Cllr John Walsh, said,

"In this extraordinary year, I am asking those who wish to pay their respects and remember the sacrifice of our Armed Forces to do so in the weeks before and after Remembrance Sunday. On that day I will lay a wreath on the city's War Memorial on behalf of all city residents. In this way, the city can pay its respects without creating a large gathering on Sunday morning. This is a very important day nationally and for Salisbury and I hope you will understand the restrictions put in place."

On Armistice Day, Wednesday 11 Nov at 1100 am the Mayor will pay his respects at the War Memorial with a two minutes silence.

Salisbury City Council requests that all residents respect that this will be a smaller event this year and do not congregate on the streets thereby keeping each other safe and respecting Government guidance.