Hastings’ annual public Remembrance Sunday service cancelled

A public Remembrance event will not be held in Hastings this year due to the ongoing coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
Hastings Remembrance Service in Alexandra Park 2019. SUS-191011-133608001Hastings Remembrance Service in Alexandra Park 2019. SUS-191011-133608001
Hastings Remembrance Service in Alexandra Park 2019. SUS-191011-133608001

Hastings Borough Council said it is not possible to hold such an event under current restrictions.

But the authority said it still wants to mark the day by the laying of wreaths at the war memorial in Alexandra Park.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

However, there will be no parade nor formal service, and the council is encouraging everyone to ‘remember from home’.

A council spokesman said: “Currently we are hoping that we will be able to accommodate a total of 30 participants to lay wreaths, but if Covid-19 restrictions tighten further we may only be able to have 15 participants or, even, potentially, possibly only six.

“The mayor will represent the council and the people of Hastings; our MP is also being invited.

“The rest of the invited participants will be drawn from representatives of retired service personnel, including Royal British Legion, serving military personnel, cadet groups, and the emergency services.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We are inviting other groups and organisations to lay wreaths at the war memorial from Sunday, November 1 if they wish to do so. Alternatively some groups might like to acknowledge Remembrance Day on November 11 at a time that suits them.

“We are inviting groups who are not able to get to the war memorial to leave a wreath at the contact centre before Remembrance Sunday, and the mayor will then lay these wreaths on their behalf.

“We understand that Remembrance Sunday is very important to many local people, and know this will disappoint many, but mass gatherings simply aren’t possible. We think that our approach at least allows the town to mark the day in an appropriate way.”

A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton:

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, I am asking you to please purchase a copy of our newspapers.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspapers.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Stay safe, and best wishes.