'We must remember those on the frontline of this new war against a virus'

Poppies laid at the memorial in Skegness.

The Righ Rev Richard Holden was addressing the town in a pre-recorded Remembrance day service as the normal parades and laying of wreaths had been cancelled.

"We gather in an unusual way as there is no service outside by the cenotaph.

"As we remember the fallen of two world wars we must also remember those in the military today and the calling that has been put on them on the frontline of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Rural Dean the Rev Richard Holden addressing the town during the pre-recorded Remembrance Day service in Skegness.

"We remember all those working in logistics and taking the swabs to see if people are ill - and we also need to pray for their families."

To support communities, churches in the Skegness area are to remain open for private prayer during the second period of lockdown.

Doors of St Matthew's Church in Skegness and the other churches in the Anglian group of churches at Winthorpe, Addlethorpe and Ingoldmells will open on weekdays at 9am until noon.

Services will be broadcast from St Matthew's Church virtually from the Skegness Group of Churches Facebook page.

This includes the Sunday morning Sung Eucharist at 11am.

Residents can join in by following the Skegness Group of Churches Facebook page.

The Rev Holden said it had been a difficult year for the churches and the congregations.

"Many of our congregations have not returned because they are isolating and they feel cut off," he said. "We normally have a congregation of 80 at St Matthew's but that has been reduced to 40.

"Weddings have been cancelled and numbers attending funerals and baptisms have been lower.

"We as a church try and keep in touch by calling the vulnerable members of the congregation on the phone and we would ask neighbours to check if any vulnerable people living near them are OK."

St Peter & St Paul’s in Burgh le Marsh is also open daily for private prayer from 9am to 5pm.