REMEMBRANCE services across the Herald area are set to go ahead on Sunday – albeit with much-limited numbers, and councils opting to stream services online.
Following the release of government guidance surrounding today’s lockdown, Remembrance Sunday services were cleared to go ahead with Covid measures in place.
FARNHAM
In Farnham, the town council plans to host a service with a limited number of people in attendance, with priority given to veterans and serving personnel.
Farnham town clerk Iain Lynch confirmed the council would be broadcasting the service online through Facebook Live and the town council’s YouTube channel.
Barriers are to be installed in Gostrey Meadow and South Street to restrict the number of people at the town’s war memorial to ensure safety of attendees.
Town mayor Cllr Pat Evans will lay a wreath on behalf of people in town, with tributes laid by the Royal British Legion (RBL), Deputy Lieutenant Brigadier Hood QVRM TD DL and South West Surrey MP Jeremy Hunt.
She said: “Although we’ve had to scale down this year’s service, I want to reassure everybody who would normally attend that the occasion will be no less poignant and will be a fitting tribute to the servicemen and women who gave their lives in service.”
To watch the service, see the council’s website on Sunday for links (www.farnham.gov.uk)
The 2020 Farnham Festival of Remembrance will also be hosted on the website of the Parish of Badshot Lea and Hale on Saturday, November 7, from 6pm. You can find the festival at https://badshotleaandhale.org/2020/11/07/farnham-festival-of-remembrance-2/
ALTON
* In Alton, town clerk Leah Coney confirmed the public had not been invited to attend the Remembrance service, but that the town council would be “proceeding with a Covid-compliant short service which will be streamed online for Altonians and the wider community”.
A road closure will be in place to allow for live streaming of the service, conducted by Rev Andrew Micklefield.
Residents are instead being encouraged to take part in a clap for veterans by the town’s Royal British Legion branch reflecting a celebration similar to the NHS Clap for Carers.
HASLEMERE
Haslemere Town Council is also taking a similar approach, with a short service with town mayor John Robini and Rev Chris Bessant, with a service streamed on the town council’s Facebook page.
WHITEHILL AND BORDON
Whitehill Town Council will not be holding a service for the public this year, and is instead encouraging residents to stand on their doorsteps at 11am for a two-minute silence.
Town mayor Katie Anscomb will attend a wreath-laying service at 10.30am at St Matthew’s Church, with the council suggesting people could paint a poppy to display in their window.
LIPHOOK
In Liphook, the traditional service at St Mary’s Church is on hold, but its church centre service is set to be streamed from 10am through Zoom.
Visit liphookchurch.co.uk for the meeting login details.
A Bramshott & Liphook Parish Council, a spokesperson said it was “proud to support the RBL and take part in the annual service”, with the council confirming it would “ensure a wreath is still laid in memory”.