Southend reminded to please “Honour the fallen whilst protecting the living”

November 6, 2020

Residents are being reminded to ‘honour the fallen whilst protecting the living’ as remembrance services across the country are altered following national restrictions, to ensure the safety of local communities.

In Southend-on-Sea there will be no public parade and service at the Cenotaph.

The planned small private ‘night of remembrance’ service has been cancelled in light of the Government restrictions.

We will share a video of a service of remembrance attended by The Worshipful The Mayor, on our social media channels and ask that the public remember those who gave their lives, from their homes.

The Mayor will attend the Cenotaph on Sunday 8 November, at an appropriate but undisclosed time to lay a wreath on behalf of the citizens of the Borough and to pay his respects to those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

The Mayor will also lead the Borough in the national two minute silence along with other dignitaries at a small private wreath laying ceremony at Porters Civic House at 11am on Wednesday 11 November. This will be live streamed on our social media channels. We again ask that people mark the two minute silence from home or from a COVID-secure location.

The Worshipful the Mayor, Cllr John Lamb, said: “I am sure the public can understand why we have had to alter Remembrance Day plans this year. It is our priority to keep everyone safe and well, and to ensure that we can pay our respects to those who came before us in a safe way.

“Our message to residents is to ‘Remember from home’ and we wish to emphasise to everyone that they can ‘Honour the Fallen whilst protecting the living’ by watching our local services online, or watch national events on TV, much in the way we all did for VE and VJ Day earlier this year. I urge you all to support us in this decision.”

There are many other ways that people can mark this occasion at home including observing the two minute silence on your doorstep like people did for clap for carers. The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal website offers advice and guidance on how we can all show our support in 2020 through its every poppy counts campaign.