Remembrance Sunday: Ways people can pay tribute in a safe way

Normal services are attended yearly by hundreds to pay tribute to those who have lost their lives at war but, this year, people will not be able to pay their respects in the traditional way.

Councils across East Lancashire are urging people to take part in different ways. 

1. In Blackburn, virtual services from Blackburn Cathedral and St Peter’s in Darwen will be taking place on Facebook.

2. A Remembrance Sunday light projection will shine from November 4 until November 11 at Blackburn Town Hall.

The Remembrance-themed projection will include images of Blackburn soldiers, wartime newspaper archives, local war poetry and an animation of poppies which will light up the town hall.

3. In Hyndburn, people are being urged to take part in a two minutes’ silence in a safe way at home.

Councillor Miles Parkinson, Leader of Hyndburn Borough Council said: “This year we would like to encourage our residents to mark these occasions in a different way, to keep our community safe.

“On Remembrance Sunday the usual commemorative services will not be taking place in Hyndburn and we are asking residents instead to join us from their homes in a doorstep two minute silence at 11am, which we’ll signal by the launch of maroon flares in our various townships.

“Those who wish to can go along to lay wreaths at our war memorials throughout the day, providing they observe social distancing rules, and we urge people not to congregate at the war memorials at 11am.”

4. In Ribble Valley, a giant poppy is to be projected on Clitheroe Castle.

The projection, on the castle keep, starts on Monday, November 2, and will continue until sunrise on Thursday, November 12.

The poppy will be visible for miles around Clitheroe, particularly to the North of the town, enabling people to remember the fallen in a socially-distanced way.

Ribble Valley Mayor Stella Brunskill said: “We know these community events are important, particularly Remembrance Day, but the borough continues to experience a rapid increase in coronavirus cases and it’s vital that we avoid putting ourselves and others at risk.

“Once again, we will be projecting a huge poppy on the side of the Clitheroe Castle Keep, allowing people to acknowledge the fallen safely and in their own time.”

5. In Burnley, around 3,400 wooden crosses will be installed at the Peace Garden  to remember and honour all those from our borough who have served their country in conflicts down the ages.

Any member of the public who wants to add their own cross can do so in the allocated space on the front right-hand side of the area as they face the war memorial.

The Mayor of Burnley, Councillor Wajid Khan, council leader, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire and the borough's MP will will lay wreaths at the war memorial in the Peace Garden and at the cenotaph in Towneley Park.

Members of the public can also lay a wreath from 1st November however people are asked to follow Covid-19 social distancing guidelines and avoid gathering in groups.

The Royal British Legion will also commemorate those who served in the armed forces.

Rockets will be fired on Armistice Day (11th November) to mark the beginning and end of a two-minutes silence to honour the fallen.

The Mayor said: "It's very disappointing but we have to act responsibly and in light of the tightening restrictions and in order to protect the health and safety of those who would be taking part, we've worked with our partners and arrived at this difficult and regrettable decision.

"I would urge people to hold their own, private moments of remembrance at 11am on Remembrance Sunday and on Remembrance Day itself to commemorate all those who gave their lives in the service of their country down the ages.

"We will honour and remember them this year, as always, despite the current situation, but in a slightly different way than usual."