Remembrance Sunday services are not taking place this year, due to COVID-19 restrictions being in place. However, you can watch pre-recorded local services and live coverage from the Cenotaph in London.
Wirral residents are being asked to pay their respects from home by watching two special recordings which will be available online on Wirral Council’s Facebook and Twitter channels just before 11am on Remembrance Sunday, 8th November.
The two pre-recorded videos will show:
A Service of Remembrance from Birkenhead Priory which includes coverage of a two-minute silence, reading of The Kohima Epitaph, prayers and a blessing. The Mayor and Mayoress are joined at the service by local representatives including Members of Parliament, local Councillors, The Royal British Legion and local army reserve units.
Footage of wreaths being laid at Wirral’s 12 main outdoor war memorials by local representatives and members of the armed forces community, including the Mayor of Wirral, veterans, children, local army reserve units and the relatives of fallen servicemen.
The Mayor of Wirral, Councillor Tony Smith, said: “Remembrance Sunday has to be very different this year, but our commitment to honour the sacrifice of so many remains as strong as ever.
“Although we are not able to stand side by side, we will still join together online at 11 O’clock to take a few moments to remember and pay our respects.”
In another symbol of remembrance, the tower of Wallasey Town Hall and Gardens and Queen Victoria monument in Hamilton Square will join other key buildings across the city region by being illuminated in poppy-red light over the Remembrance Sunday weekend until the evening of Armistice Day on Wednesday 11th November.
The Royal British Legion states on its website, “Every year, the Legion calls on the nation to unite in commemorating Remembrance Sunday.
Owing to the COVID-19 pandemic and in light of the risks posed, the annual Remembrance Sunday March Past the Cenotaph will not take place this year.
“We recognise this will be deeply disappointing for all who were due to take part and it is not a step that has been taken lightly. This decision has been taken by the Government based on expert advice to protect the health and well-being of those who would have been travelling to and participating in the event.”
There will be a live broadcast of events at the Cenotaph in London on BBC One from 10.15am on Sunday 8th November as representatives of the Royal Family, the Government and the Armed Forces lay wreaths at the Cenotaph. You will also be able to watch a live stream of events from the Cenotaph on The Royal British Legion Facebook page.
Watch Wirral Remembrance Sunday Services by clicking these links to Facebook and Twitter – you’ll need to look for the video in the posts/tweets.
Birkenhead School YouTube broadcast premieres on Remembrance Sunday at 6.15pm, a virtual service of Choral Evensong.
Link to the Facebook page showing video of local services.
Link to the Twitter page showing video of local services.