With Halton and the rest of the Liverpool City Region in the ‘very high’ Covid alert level, outdoor commemoration events planned for Remembrance Sunday on 8 November have been cancelled to help to reduce the spread of coronavirus in our community.
Instead of the traditional parade and commemoration at the war memorial in Victoria Park, Widnes, and the Cenotaph in Runcorn, residents are instead being asked to pay their respects from their homes.
Cllr Rob Polhill, Leader of Halton Borough Council said: “While these unprecedented times mean we are unable to come together to show our respects in the traditional ways, I still hope that as a community we will be able to demonstrate our collective respect as we pause, in our homes, on Sunday 8 November at 11am to reflect and remember those who lost their lives to secure and protect our freedom. As a Council we will also be observing a two-minute silence on Armistice Day, at 11am on 11 November.
Cllr Polhill added: “I know that people will be disappointed that there is no parade this year, but we must together adhere to the current restrictions and focus on bringing down the spread of the virus – this is the only way we can be sure to get restrictions lifted and return to some normality as soon as possible.”
Although the decision to cancel services applies to all outdoor commemorations, some local church services may still go ahead on the day in line with current social distancing protocols. Residents are advised to contact their local diocese for more information, or visit www.achurchnearyou.com
In Halton, the Mersey Gateway Bridge will be lit in red to mark the day and a poppy flag will fly from Runcorn Town Hall and the Municipal Building.
In another mark of respect, a local Halton artist will paint a poppy mural on a building in Leigh Recreation Ground.
The Council has also created a remembrance poster that residents may choose to display in their window at home – a version is also available for children to colour-in.
You can download the poster or they will be available to collect from Halton Direct Link offices.
The Royal British Legion will be in Widnes Market with their traditional poppies from Monday 26 October to Saturday 7 November.
