A Remembrance Sunday Like None Before It
Local boroughs choosing to mark the day in different ways
A Remembrance Sunday service in Greenford
November 3, 2020
Londoners are being encouraged to commemorate Remembrance Day in a different way this year as the coronavirus pandemic will mean traditional services will not be possible.
In Hounslow, the council is suggesting residents get creative and share how they are marking Remembrance Day at home.
A spokesperson said, “None of us in Hounslow will be able to mark Remembrance Day in the usual way this year, so in order to show our respect together, we are encouraging people to commemorate Remembrance Day by creating poppy-themed artwork, photographs, cakes or other artefacts.
“Due to ongoing Covid-19 restrictions, Remembrance Day services will not go ahead in the traditional way this year, so we are encouraging people to commemorate in new and creative ways…
“We want people to send in photographs of their works, and we will share those on our social media channels as a Remembrance display online.”
Residents can find out more and how to get involved via the council’s website.
However in Ealing a “significantly altered” physical service will take place at the war memorial on Ealing Green, outside of Pitzhanger Manor House.
Ealing’s mayor Cllr Abdullah Gulaid will lead the Sunday service on November 8, from 10.50am to 11.20am.
Due to coronavirus restrictions and to keep numbers low, no parade or band will be present this year. Among those attending will be MPs, representatives from the Metropolitan Police, London Fire Brigade, and the chief executive of Ealing Council.
Socially distanced seating will be in place for veterans and relatives.
Members of the public are urged to not attend if possible, but to watch the service through the live-stream which will be available on the council’s Youtube channel. For those attending in person, social distancing will be in place.
Ealing Council leader, councillor Julian Bell, said, “Remembrance Sunday is when many of us remember loved ones lost to us through war. With 2020 being the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II, it is extremely disappointing that COVID has had such an impact on all events that were planned to commemorate this.
“Our Remembrance event has had to be scaled back to meet the restrictions we are observing. I encourage everyone to join with us from the comfort of their homes via the live-stream.”
Anahita Hossein-Pour - Local Democracy Reporter