Residents urged to remember at home as parades are cancelled
Stafford residents who want to pay their respects on Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday are being urged to do so at home to avoid the risk of spreading coronavirus.
Each year thousands of people gather for ceremonies across the borough to pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country during conflict.
Acts of Remembrance take place at war memorials and churches in towns and villages of all sizes.
But this year the Covid-19 pandemic means traditional parades have been cancelled. Wreath laying is still set to take place in Stafford, Stone and Eccleshall, but the number of people who attend will be limited.
In Stafford, a Remembrance Sunday service is set to be streamed online for residents to view at home. Details of how to access the service online on November 8 will be released nearer the time on Stafford Borough Council’s website and social media.
In the town centre wreaths will be laid at the Victoria Square memorial by a limited number of organisations. The area’s MP, Lord Lieutenant for Staffordshire, Borough Mayor and Armed Forces representatives are due to attend.
In Stone the annual High Street parade and service at St Michael and St Wulfad’s Church will not take place. There will instead be small services at the Granville Square and Walton Community Centre war memorials.
Stone Town Council has urged residents not to attend these services because of concerns of the potential risk to themselves and others if crowds gather. Arrangements are being made however for organisations who would normally lay wreaths to do so at other times.
Town Mayor Councillor Mark Green said: “I am disappointed that the current situation has forced the town council to have to curtail such an important occasion for the town.
Message
"I urge you to avoid risks to the community by remembering in your own way at home on this occasion, rather than coming into the town centre or Walton on Remembrance Sunday morning.”
In Eccleshall residents are being encouraged to take part in a “doorstep remembrance” and observe the two minutes’ silence from 11am at their front door instead of attending the usual parade and service at Holy Trinity Church.
Eccleshall Parish Council Chairman Councillor Peter Jones said: “A very restricted wreath laying will be take place with four people laying wreaths representing the Royal British Legion, Eccleshall Parish Council and the parish church.
“Residents are encouraged not to gather near the War Memorial or in the church yard on the 8th.
"Other wreaths can be laid after 12noon or during the afternoon but social distancing must be observed.
“Please pass on the message about the doorstep two minutes’ silence to your friends and neighbours so that those who gave their lives can be remembered.”
