Remembrance Sunday: Bognor Regis residents encouraged to pay their respects at home

Normally on Remembrance Sunday in Bognor Regis veterans, dignitaries and residents of all ages turn out in great numbers to remember and pay their respects to those who have fought and continue to fight for our country – but not this year.
Remembrance Day 2019Remembrance Day 2019
Remembrance Day 2019

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.

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“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.”

Bognor Regis Town Council has announced ‘with much sadness and regret’ the cancellation of the Bognor Regis Remembrance Sunday Service, scheduled for Sunday.

The event usually involves a parade through the town with uniformed organisations and youth groups, serving personnel and veterans, followed by a service held at the War Memorial with hundreds of residents in attendance.

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A spokesman said: “We know how important the Remembrance Sunday event here in Bognor Regis is to you all, but we must conform to the current Covid-19 restrictions.”

The town mayor will lay a wreath at war memorial alone and this will be live streamed on Facebook.

A Remembrance Day presentation can be found on the town council’s website here.

A further presentation featuring councillors will be uploaded to the website on Sunday.

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In Felpham, an outside service at the war memorial will be live streamed on Facebook for residents to watch at home.

In Arundel, residents are being encouraged to pay their respects by standing on their doorsteps for a two-minute silence at 11am.

Arundel mayor Tony Hunt said: “Though Remembrance Day will take a different form this year, we will all have the opportunity to honour those whose sacrifices have secured our freedom and protected our way of life.

“It may also cause us to reflect on how resolutely previous generations faced their darkest hours, which may comfort and encourage us in 2020.”