Taking a step back
Remembrance Day events are being scaled down or even cancelled across South Lanarkshire this year.
The coronavirus pandemic has put paid to plans for two major annual events in Hamilton that honour the war dead.
Veterans will not be able to march through the streets to the Garden of Remembrance at the top cross, and the Festival of Remembrance at the Town House has also been scrapped.
The annual two-minute silence that is observed on Armistice Day, at Hamilton’svictoria Crosswar Memorial in Castle Street, is set to take place, however it will be scaled back with social-distance measures in place.
Under normal circumstances ex-service men and women, dignitaries and members of the public are joined by pupils and staff from the town’s three secondary schools – Hamilton Grammar, Holy Cross and St John Ogilvie – for a small service before paying their respects during the two-minute silence.this year, members of the public are asked not to attend for public health reasons. South Lanarkshire Council have confirmed that the Remembrance Sunday (November 8) service at the Cenotaph, in
Bothwell Road Park, will take place – however it will have a limited attendance with invited guests only.
South Lanarkshire Provost Iain Mcallan said:“like so many other events, our remembrance ceremonies have had to be scaled back this year due to the Covid-19 situation.
“However, while these are unusual times, what remains constant is the debt that we owe to those who gave their lives to protect our way of life for the generations to come.
“Perhaps in a year when we are reminded more than ever of the value of our health and our daily life, it is even more relevant to honour those who sacrificed themselves to ensure we could still have all that we hold dear, and we will ensure that we do still remember them and pay them the respect they are due.”
Remembrance events will also be held in Larkhall and East Kilbride, with a limited attendance, but the council have not issued any further details for fear of large crowds gathering.
The local authority also confirmed that there will no be council-led Remembrance events taking place in Rutherglen or Cambuslang, although local churches or the Royal British Legion may host their own events.
North Lanarkshire Council said that no decision has yet been taken over their armistice day events.
People are being urged to still take the time to remember all those who paid the ultimate sacrifice by coming together for a national moment of silence at 11am on Remembrance Sunday as the service is broadcast nationwide on BBC One, Sky and ITV.
Meanwhile, the Hamilton Poppy Appeal committee have set up a Justgiving Page with a fundraising target of £1550.
To donate to the Hamilton Poppy Appeal please visit https://www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/ao-hamilton.