Remembrance Sunday parade scrapped due to coronavirus

BIRMINGHAM’S annual Remembrance Sunday service is will be held ‘virtually’ this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

There will be no big public event in the city centre next month – instead people are being asked to take part via the internet.

A Service of Remembrance will be live-streamed from St Philip’s Cathedral on Sunday, November 8 at 10.45am.

Only a small group of invited guests will be at the event and there will be no service or military parade in Colmore Row.

People are being urged to carry out their own acts of remembrance at home or school and to share online using the hashtag #BhamRemembers.

The Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Mohammed Azim, said local lockdown restrictions had forced the move.

“It is very sad we are unable to gather together for the city’s annual Remembrance Sunday, but we will still remember the fallen who sacrificed so much,” he said.

“As the pandemic continues, nobody would be expecting thousands to gather for our usually large, public service with many elderly people – including veterans – who are more vulnerable to coronavirus. “Instead I’m asking Birmingham’s citizens to watch the live-streamed service from St Philip’s Cathedral and take time to remember the men and women who died while serving their country.

“For the same safety reasons the cathedral service cannot be a public event, please pay your respects at home and do not come into the city centre.”

Gillian Guy, county chairman of Warwickshire and Birmingham Royal British Legion, said: “We fully understand why Birmingham has had to scale back its Remembrance Sunday event and support the decision to have a virtual service instead.”

Individuals and organisations that wish to have a wreath laid at the Hall of Memory on Sunday, November 8 can deliver them to the Council House (Gatehouse entrance) between Monday November 2 and Friday November 6 and they will be laid on their behalf.

Remembrance Sunday parades in Walsall have also been scrapped this year but smaller services to honour the fallen will still take place.

Councillor Garry Perry, portfolio holder for community, leisure and culture, confirmed parades through the town will not be held while members of the public are being encouraged not to attend annual events next month.

Councillor Perry said: “There will be very short and focused acts of remembrance at Walsall at each of the cenotaphs with a very reduced number of people following the ‘rule of six’. If residents still choose to attend we are asking them to take responsibility for their own social distancing. It’s not fair to expect organisers to be responsible for others’ social distancing.”