REMEMBRANCE DAY
Unfortunately, this year, like many other events, the Remembrance Day commemorations across the country have had to be changed greatly due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Like other towns, Abingdon has, after consultation, cancelled the parade and Act of Remembrance at the War Memorial in order to protect those taking part, members of the public and veterans of all conflicts.
On Remembrance Day (Sunday 8th November) there will be no road closure, no Civic Remembrance church service, no parade and no service at the War memorial.
The importance of the day will, however, not be lost and the Town Council will ensure the War Memorial is dressed with the wreaths from clubs, societies, organisations, civic and military as well as schools and they are all invited to lay their wreaths any time from Friday 6th November to ensure they are in place for Remembrance Day. The Town Council will also host on its website www.abingdon.gov.uk a Remembrance presentation so that members of the public can view the War Memorial and other items from the safety of their own homes.
The Town Council is urging members of the public to observe the two-minute silence at 11.00 am on Sunday 8th November on their doorsteps in the same way as we supported the NHS earlier in the year and this is being encouraged by government and the Royal British Legion (“the Legion”). If you are not able to do that then follow the national commemoration from the Cenotaph in London on the BBC.
The valuable work of the Legion carries on and the Poppy Appeal is very important to the charity which cares for those who have suffered in past conflicts. This year the Legion are unable to go ahead with street collections and the selling of poppies in public will be very limited. The Town Council would urge you to support the Royal British Legion during this difficult time by visiting their website and assist them in their fundraising efforts; https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-involved/things-to-do/events.
Clare Oldfield, Abingdon Poppy Appeal Organiser, said:
“Abingdon has always taken the poppy to heart raising some £200,000 in the past four years alone. “This year, we are unable to collect on the street, house to house or at Tesco and Waitrose. Poppies will be available in limited shops in the town and we will be running a pop-up poppy shop outside the Legion in Spring Road on Saturday October 24th Sunday October 25th and Saturday November 7th.
“The impact of COVID-19 has left some in the armed forces community in dire need of support and we need your backing like never before, because every poppy counts in the help it provides.”
WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.
Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council.
