City remembers the Fallen in a virtual tribute
A SHORT film commemorating those who have lost their lives in conflict formed the centrepiece of Remembrance Sunday in Leicester yesterday.
The coronavirus lockdown restrictions meant the traditional Remembrance service at the War Memorial in the city’s Victoria Park could not take place.
But people were encouraged to join together to commemorate those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country in conflicts around the world.
Leicester City Council produced a special commemorative film, taken at Edwin Lutyens’ Arch of Remembrance in the park.
Dignitaries including Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire Mike Kapur and Leicestershire’s Chief Constable Simon Cole joined a small group of representatives from the Armed Forces and faith groups to lay poppy wreaths at the memorial last week.
The aerial footage of the war memorial, and tributes left in memory of those killed in wars around the world.
The complete Remembrance Day film was broadcast just after 11am on Leicester City Council’s YouTube channel.
It was part of a range of alternative commemorations taking place this year across the city.
Leicester City Council also worked alongside BBC Radio Leicester on a Remembrance Day programme to be broadcast yesterday at 10.30am.
It featured personal stories and information from those who have fought in different conflicts, along with a message from the Bishop of Leicester, as well as two minutes’ silence at 11am.
The Arch of Remembrance in Victoria Park was illuminated in red for the event. Members of the public have also submitted almost 100 poppy-themed images, photographs and other creative ideas for the Lord Mayor’s Post a Poppy campaign, which invited people to bake cakes, draw pictures or even plant remembrance-themed flowers, and to send in photographs of their works.
The images are being projected onto the large wall at Green Dragon Square, near Leicester Market, from 4pm to 10pm every day from later this week. They will also be made into a commemorative online gallery.
Leicester Lord Mayor Councillor Annette Byrne said: “This year’s Remembrance Day commemorations are unlike any other due to the circumstances, but that doesn’t mean they are any less important or poignant.
“Although we are unable to hold our traditional service at the war memorial, it will still be the centrepiece of this specially-commissioned short film.
“We’ve also had a wonderful response to our Post a Poppy campaign, and it has been very encouraging to see so many people of all ages getting involved in the act of remembrance, despite the challenging circumstances.”