Village’s poignant anthem of hope
Special song is composed
Historians in Balfron are ensuring villagers can still mark Remembrance Sunday with special posters and even a song.
With the recent Covid-19 restrictions placing the area in Level 3 restrictions, neither Remembrance Sunday nor Armistice Day itself can be marked with customary gathering and acts of commemoration.
As with other villages, Balfron has had to search for a safe way to mark these solemn occasions.
Balfron Heritage has produced a supply of posters which people can display in their windows to show that the sacrifices have not been forgotten even amid the current pandemic. These are available free in the phone box resource hub at the foot of the village.
An online Act of Remembrance involving the local churches will also be streamed at 7pm on Sunday, with the laying of wreaths filmed beforehand and included in the programme.
Local historian Jim Thomson has also composed an ‘Anthem for a Virtual Remembrance’, which can be sung to the tune of ‘Highland Cathedral’.
It ends with the hope that we shall, once again, be able to gather when these strange times come to an end.
A video featuring the anthem can be found at https://www.facebook.com/ balfronheritage/videos/386482649432151
Donations can also be made via the poppy collection cans in the village shops.
Meanwhile, Stirling Provost Christine Simpson has urged residents across the Stirling area to pay their respects to the war dead from home this year ahead of Remembrance Sunday.
The annual service of remembrance at the Church of the Holy Rude is a key event in the Stirling calendar, and will take place on Sunday (November 8) in line with current Scottish Government restrictions, limiting attendees to 50 invitees only.
Provost Simpson will represent the people of Stirling at the ceremony by laying a wreath at the service, along with other local organisations. These will then be laid at the Cenotaph the following day. Due to the restrictions on gatherings and outdoor events, the traditional parade to the Cenotaph after the church service will not take place, and no other parades or events are permitted.
Members of the public will be able to watch and listen to an edited recording of the service later that day on several different platforms, including Youtube and Facebook, by visiting the Church of the Holy Rude website.
Residents and veterans are being encouraged to pay their respects at home by observing the national two-minute silence. People throughout the Stirling area can also share the ways they are remembering the fallen on Twitter by using the hashtag #Stirlingremembers2020.
Provost Simpson said: “Usually, I would be encouraging people to join in the traditional commemoration events – but unfortunately these are not normal times.
“With the ongoing impact of the pandemic, this year, I would urge residents to take time to reflect and remember the sacrifices of our servicemen and women from the safety of their own homes.”
Legion Scotland and Poppyscotland are encouraging the public to take to their doorsteps at 11am on Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day to mark the two-minute silence. The BBC will televise proceedings from the Cenotaph in London on November 8 and both charities will be broadcasting a virtual service of remembrance on November 11.
People, if they wish, can also make an online donation to this year’s Poppy Scotland appeal at https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/ get-involved/poppy-appeal.
With the ongoing impact of the pandemic this year, I would urge residents to take time to reflect and remember the sacrifices of our servicemen and women from the safety of their own homes Provost Simpson