Remembrance Service 2020 – Poppy Appeal

08/11/2020, Remembrance 2020 Order of Service

Petersfield Town Council are extremely grateful to our Petersfield’s Shine, Community Radio for covering this act of remembrance.

Coverage of Petersfield’s ceremony of Remembrance which was conducted in Petersfield Town Centre by the Reverend Canon Will Hughes, vicar of St Peter’s Church.

Shine Radio’s coverage is introduced by Joff Lacey whose family lost a member in the First World War and is named on the town’s War Memorial.

Press release 03/11/2020

Petersfield Town Council continues to review arrangements for the Act of Remembrance on 8 Nov 20.   Every effort will be made to mark Remembrance in the best and safest way possible. To do this only key participants representing the Community and in direct support are expected to be present.

The ceremony will be filmed and added to the original VE Day film and also recorded for broadcast by Petersfield’s Shine Radio. Listeners will be able to hear it on Shine Radio at 2pm and 11pm on Sunday and at any time after its initial broadcast at petersfieldradio.com – the special broadcast will be introduced by Joff Lacey whose ancestors are honoured on the War Memorial.

All participants are minded and determined that the Petersfield community will all need to be able to look back on Remembrance Sunday 2020 and know that the old promise was properly kept in that:-  “Petersfield will Remember and Never Forget”.

[su_divider divider_color=”#5c7733″ link_color=”#d0d0d0″ margin=”30″]

It is with considerable sadness and deep regret that Petersfield Town Council in consultation with St  Peter’s Church and the Petersfield Branch of the Royal British Legion has concluded that our Town’s signature event of recognising and remembering the Fallen and all Sacrifices has had to be most severely curtailed for 8 November 2020.  We can no longer hope for the best as arrangements take some planning and rehearsal which currently cannot be undertaken and cannot be re- introduced at short notice.  It follows, therefore, that there will be no parades and marching bands with contingents.

Current arrangements and again always subject to change at the very last minute depending upon circumstances is for the minimum number of persons who will attend the War Memorial on Sunday 8 November 2020 and observe an Act of Remembrance and Silence on behalf of the Community. Names of our Fallen will be read.  This will be filmed and portrayed in our ‘Petersfield Remembers’ film footage we have been gathering during this year of many Anniversaries. All key organisers have been informed of the situation.  The Remembrance Garden installed at the War Memorial will be available for individual Poppy Crosses.  Local Organisation Wreath Layers are being contacted for alternative arrangements and options.

We are certain all will very much understand the position we are in and would not only ask but implore that folk do not gather or converge in the High Street and immediate area.  Unplanned crowding or lack of social distancing may cause the Service to be halted immediately which is something none of us would wish for. We do hope that 2021 will see us back in good heart for this annual and very well attended event.

[su_divider divider_color=”#5c7733″ link_color=”#d0d0d0″ margin=”30″]

The Royal British Legion is set to scale back street collectors for this year’s Poppy Appeal due to coronavirus.

The charity which supports the Armed Forces community, holds the Poppy Appeal every November.  Thousands of volunteers sell poppies for the fundraising campaign ahead of Remembrance Day.  But this year RBL is being forced to cut back its street collectors and focus on contactless donations due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The charity fears putting volunteers at risk as many are in the vulnerable category.

Poppy Appeal hope to introduce ‘point of sale’ donations, where shoppers will have the option to round up their total to the nearest pound at the supermarket and online.

A spokesman said “Whilst the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the ways in which we can deliver the appeal this year, the Poppy Appeal 2020 is very much still going ahead.”

“In these unprecedented times The Royal British Legion is working hard to support the most vulnerable in our society, be it older veterans that we care for, those who suffer from social isolation, or those who are simply overwhelmed by the challenges associated with the Covid-19 pandemic.”

MAKE A DONATION

My Poppy Run 2020
The Poppy Appeal park run events usually take place in October and November, but these are unable to take place this year due to social distancing measures.

Instead, why not sign up for the My Poppy Run, virtual event, and support your Poppy Appeal in 2020.

SIGN UP FOR MY POPPY RUN

Other ways to get involved, including adding your personal tribute to the virtual field of remembrance.

The RBL Helpline remains fully operational, so if you or someone you know in the Armed Forces community needs support, please continue to contact 0808 802 8080 (8am to 8pm, 7 days a week). You can also email info@britishlegion.org.uk.