Council comes to rescue of Remembrance service

A REMEMBRANCE Day service that was threatened with being called off has been saved, with the help of a parish council.

The event at the war memorial in Barwell, which is usually organised by the Barwell branch of the Royal British Legion, was in jeopardy owing to issues with public liability insurance.

A policy introduced by the legion means it will no longer provide the insurance needed for road closures.

However, Barwell Parish Council has stepped in to oversee the event and pay for the necessary insurance, after the group was asked for help.

A road closure on Church Lane is needed for the service at the war memorial, as it is next to the road.

A council spokesman said: “The council recognised it is very important the residents of Barwell need to have the opportunity to remember those who gave so much in past conflicts and can now pay their respect at the war memorial on Sunday.”

All those who attend are asked to wear face masks and follow social distancing guidelines. The parade will not be going ahead this year.

The remembrance service will take place at the memorial this Sunday, November 14, at 11am.

Meanwhile, the town centre in Market Harborough and The Symington Building are set to be illuminated “poppy red” to mark the Remembrance commemorations.

The lights, which have been installed by Harborough District Council on shop fronts in The Square and the building in Adam and Eve

Street, will be lit up to coincide with the Remembrance commemorations from November 11 until November 15.

The Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire, Mike Kapur and Royal British Legion county chairman Colonel Robert Martin have called upon organisations across the county to light up their buildings in tribute to the heroic sacrifice made by so many.