People told to ‘stay away’ from Hastings war memorial Remembrance Sunday service

Due to the new national lockdown from Thursday (November 5), Hastings Borough Council has further reduced the size of its Act of Remembrance on Sunday.

The council still wants to mark the day by the laying of wreaths at the war memorial in Alexandra Park, but the numbers participating will now be reduced to just six, who have already been invited.

The council said it is encouraging everyone to ‘remember from home’ and is stressing members of the public should not attend the war memorial on Sunday morning.

A council spokesman said: “Because of the new lockdown, the mayor will lay a wreath on behalf of the town and its people, including the many organisations in Hastings, and the Royal British Legion will lay a wreath on behalf of all serving, retired and fallen service personnel. We are asking everyone else to please stay away.

“If any other organisation wants the mayor to lay a wreath on their behalf they are asked to bring these to Muriel Matters House, the council offices in Breeds Place, by 4pm on Wednesday (November 4).

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

Last month the council announced that a public Remembrance event would not be held in Hastings this year due to the ongoing coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

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

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