Virus takes a heavy toll of town Remembrance events

A FURTHER coronavirus lockdown has meant more changes have had to be made to what promised to be a cut-down but Covid-secure Remembrance Sunday in Ashbourne.

Organised by Ashbourne’s branch of the Royal British Legion, the commemorations on Sunday had been slimmed down to meet the current guidance, with the annual parade cancelled and most commemorations moving online.

In response to Saturday’s announcement that the country would move to a national lockdown on Thursday, as coronavirus cases continue to soar, the British Legion branch has now had a second re-think and has issued new instructions. The biggest change to the proposed proceedings will be to the church service, which had been set to take place as the start of the day’s events.

This ticket-only service at St Oswald’s Church is now cancelled completely, although a virtual service will still be conducted and will be streamed, live, on the Ashbourne Royal British Legion Facebook page.

Branch chairman Colonel Adam Fraser-hitchen said: “This will allow people to stay at home, stay safe, and still see the commemorations.

“It is likely, although not confirmed, that a small gate service with wreath-layers only will take place at the Memorial Gates on Sunday.

“This is not open to the public but it will also be live streamed for people to watch from home.

“It is likely, although not confirmed, that we will be able to conduct small services for the schools on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at the Memorial Gates.

“Again, this is not open to the public due to the new lockdown rules.”

To view the streams, search Facebook for Royal British Legion Ashbourne.