Due to the ongoing situation with Covid19 and in line with National and Local Restrictions and Guidance, it is with deep regret, that despite every effort by the key organisations involved in planning the Town’s annual Remembrance commemorations, that Ferryhill Town Council must announce, that it will not be possible to host this years Annual Remembrance Sunday Parades and Wreath Laying Ceremony on Sunday, 8th November 2020 as planned.
The Council appreciates that this is very disappointing, especially for those who routinely take part in the Parade, and attend to pay their respects however, the safety of the Town’s residents including its veterans must remain a priority at this difficult time.
To ensure that the occasion does not go unmarked St. Luke’s Church will live screen a Remembrance service at 10.30am on its Facebook Page. This will be shared on the Town Council’s page, and followed by a small service observing the National Lockdown rules, in the Town Hall garden, at approximately 10.55am, for the Last Post and two minutes silence. The Town Mayor, Councillor Joe Makepeace will lay a wreath on behalf of the Town. This will also be live screened on the Town Council’s Facebook page.
The organisers are urging residents not to attend the service, or to be in the vicinity of the Town Hall garden between 10.30am and 11.30am on 8th November, to ensure that everyone is kept safe, and that the proceedings can go ahead unhindered. It has not been possible to put road closures in place this year, and unfortunately, if people do gather around the Town Hall, it is likely that the organisers will be forced to cut short the commemorations in order to comply with Government restrictions.
The front gates to the Town Hall garden will be open from 12 noon on Remembrance Sunday to enable anyone wanting to lay a wreath at the cenotaph, and pay their respects to do so after that time. The Council asks that anyone who does intend to lay a wreath ensures that they observe social distancing regulations at all times.
For anyone wanting to make a personal tribute this year, The Royal British Legion has created a site for ‘home tributes’ on its website, under ‘virtual field of remembrance.’ Virtual Field of Remembrance | Ways to Give | Royal British Legion
Ferryhill Town Council would like to thank everyone in advance for their cooperation, and would especially like to thank Ferryhill Remembers for creating the beautiful Poppy Nets that are in situ on the front of the Town Hall building, and poppy displays around the Town, which provide a very fitting tribute for the occasion.
The Town Hall will also be lit red from Remembrance Sunday, 8th November until late evening on Armistice Day, 11th November 2020 as an act of Remembrance.
For more information regarding this years Remembrance Sunday arrangements please contact Karen Younghusband at Ferryhill Town Council on tel: 01740 652157.
