King's Lynn asked to “Remember at home” this Remembrance Sunday
Usual celebrations can't go ahead because of Covid-19
Plans are being put together to host a closed Remembrance Day service in Tower Gardens on Sunday 8 November 2020. Members of the public will be unable to attend this event.
The Mayor of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk, Cllr Geoff Hipperson, has asked uninvited members of the public to stay at home:
"Remembrance Sunday is as important this year as any but unfortunately, due to the global pandemic, we cannot gather in our usual numbers at Remembrance ceremonies.
"I know that the borough council has already cancelled or postponed all its public events during the Coronavirus outbreak, and it would be inappropriate to keep this event open to everyone, whilst keeping to the social distancing rules.
"Remembrance Sunday will be marked at an event in Tower Gardens. The usual local organisations will be represented, and there will be an opportunity for some extra wreaths to be laid by civic staff, on behalf of organisations who have booked in advance. Numbers are very limited, but if you would like to be involved, please contact our civics team now, who can explain how you can take part."
Thousands of people have turned up in the past to pay their respects, they are being asked to stay at home this year or visit Tower Gardens after the closed event has finished. The whole service will be streamed live on borough council social media channels for people to watch at home.
The Mayor continued:
"Many of us involved in these ceremonies, including me, are no spring chickens and we would not forgive ourselves if we transmitted the virus to someone who then became seriously ill.
"We will therefore do our best to have a meaningful ceremony whilst keeping to social distancing rules.
"I hope that you will watch the event at home and, at 11am, remember with us, and look forward to seeing a normal service of Remembrance return to King’s Lynn next year."
The only attendees at the service will be from military organisations and a handful of dignitaries. Organisations who would like a wreath laid on their behalf are being asked to contact the civics team at King’s Lynn Town Hall to arrange dropping one in a few days before the service. Email civics@west-norfolk.gov.uk for more details.
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.
There will be a Remembrance Service at 10:30am in St Faith’s Church to which representatives from the Royal British Legion, the borough council and the Uniformed Youth Organisations will be invited, and this service will be live-streamed on their facebook page.
At the eleventh hour they invite you to remember with them from your homes.