People are being encouraged to mark Remembrance Sunday on 8 November at home this year, rather than gathering at war memorials.
Following confirmation that physically distanced outside events can go ahead during the lockdown, wreath laying ceremonies will be held at war memorials in Brighton & Hove.
The commemorations are being scaled down to comply with Covid-19 restrictions and we are asking members of the public not to attend to keep everyone safe.
The Royal British Legion is encouraging people to mark Remembrance Sunday by taking part in remote and physically distanced activities instead, such as watching the national service at the Cenotaph on television, or pausing for the Two Minute Silence at 11am in their home or on their doorsteps.
Wreath laying
Short services will be held at Brighton War Memorial in the Old Steine on Sunday morning, and Hove War Memorial in Grand Avenue in the afternoon.
Four wreaths will be laid at the official ceremony at the Brighton War Memorial.
The Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex, Peter Field, will be laying a wreath on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen, and the Mayor of Brighton & Hove, Councillor Alan Robins, will lay a wreath on behalf of MPs, leaders, councillors and citizens of Brighton & Hove.
Wreaths are also being laid by Lt Commander Alcock on behalf of the Military HM Regular & Reserve Forces, Merchant Navy & Civilian (Uniformed) Services (Police, Fire & Ambulance), and Councillor Mary Mears, chair of the Brighton & Hove City Royal British Legion and deputy mayor, on behalf of ex-service men and women and all other organisations.
The mayor will also lay a wreath in Hove for the afternoon service.
Small wreath laying ceremonies will also take place at the Royal Sussex Regiment Memorial, in Regency Square, Brighton; Easthill Park Memorial, in Manor Road, Portslade; and Hove Cemetery in Old Shoreham Road.
On Armistice Day on Wednesday 11 November, the mayor, Councillor Alan Robins, will mark the Two Minute Silence at 11am at the Hove War Memorial and the deputy mayor, Councillor Mary Mears, will attend the Brighton War Memorial.
Marking Remembrance Day at home
The Mayor of Brighton & Hove, Councillor Alan Robins, said: “It is with a heavy heart that we’ve had to limit our remembrance services to small gatherings.
“Like so many events this year, services have been affected by Covid-19 and will be much smaller than normal to ensure we keep people safe.
“We had planned for smaller events and it is good news that we will be able to lay wreaths to commemorate Remembrance Day on behalf of the people of Brighton & Hove and the armed forces despite the new lockdown measures.
“We encourage everyone who wants to mark Remembrance Day to do so in their own way at home, as the Royal British Legion suggests nationally, and join in the Two Minute Silence at home or on their doorstep.”
Councillor Mary Mears, chair of the Brighton & Hove City Royal British Legion, said: “The Legion’s Remembrance theme this year is ‘Coming Home’ and, although we are having to adapt and change the way we mark Remembrance Sunday, it’s as important as ever to remember our service men and women, and the civilians who have lost their lives in conflict.”
For more information and ideas from the Royal British Legion for marking Remembrance Sunday at home, visit the Royal British Legion website.
