Watch as Sleaford Royal British Legion hold their Covid-safe Remembrance Sunday service online

Due to the new restrictions, a small live service at Sleaford’s St Denys’ Church on Remembrance Sunday has had to be cancelled. Instead, Rev Philip Johnson pre-recorded a video of a small service with key members of the Sleaford branch of the Royal British Legion prior to the national lockdown.

This is available to watch today (Sunday) via St Denys’ YouTube channel here.

Rev Johnson said: “It is scheduled to go live at 10.15 on Sunday morning. In the video the Last Post end and the silence begins at 8 minutes so anyone wanting to watch it to hit the silence on 11am will need to start the video at 10.52am.”

Those with wreaths are advised to lay them at their discretion while out on their daily exercise or trip to shops under lockdown over the coming days.

Branch chairman Clive Candlin said: “We would encourage people to pay their respects from their doorsteps, but be safe and do not break the rules.”

Branch Standard bearer Brian Harvey will lower the standard and observe the silence from his home on Sunday and again for Armistice Day on Wednesday.

The Sleaford Standard has also launched a campaign, along with other JPIMedia titles across the country, for a two minute doorstep silence this Remembrance Sunday, to ensure we still remember in 2020 even if we cannot join together in Acts of Remembrance.

This week we have published a special Poppy Poster (on page 4), backed by the Royal British Legion, which we encourage people to display in their windows, or to hold, as they stand on their doorsteps to observe a two minute silence at 11am on Remembrance Sunday.

We urge everyone to show their support for Remembrance Sunday by buying a poppy if they are able, or by making a donation to the Royal British Legion.

The director of fundraising for the Royal British Legion, Claire Rowcliffe, said: “In a year where our homes and streets have developed new meaning for us all, and with many people not able to donate in their usual way, we are bringing the Poppy Appeal 2020 right to the hearts of individuals, families and communities across the UK with a variety of ways for people to get involved, whatever their circumstances.

“Whilst the Covid-19 pandemic undoubtedly makes running the appeal more difficult, the additional hardships it has brought about mean our work is now more vital than ever. The pandemic has had a devastating impact on people’s livelihoods and way of life, leaving some in the Armed Forces community in dire need of urgent help and support. We are seeing people struggling to cope with the loss of loved ones, facing homelessness and unemployment and battling mental health issues

“Every poppy makes a difference to the lives of our Armed Forces community. Whilst you may have to do something different to support the appeal this year, every poppy counts so thank you to the Sleaford Standard for your fantastic support.”

Some villages in the Sleaford are holding scaled back Remembrance services with a few representatives and a few onlookers permitted to pay their respects if socially distanced.

We will bring you images from the events in due course.