Due to the current social restrictions and advice relating to the coronavirus pandemic, the Island’s Remembrance Day Parade followed by the Civic Act of Remembrance and wreath-laying at Newport War Memorial will not be taking place this year.
The Isle of Wight Council says this is because it is not possible to organise the events in a COVID-19 secure way and in accordance with the latest guidelines to prevent the spread of the coronavirus within our community.
The Lord Lieutenant and the Chairman of the Isle of Wight Council will still lay wreaths on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen and the Island’s community on Remembrance Sunday. The Isle of Wight Council has also arranged for maroons to be fired in Newport to mark the 11th hour on Sunday 8th November and also Wednesday 11th November.
Officials are respectfully asking that if you are in the area at the time, you remember to stay a minimum 2m apart from those not in your household.
Susie Sheldon, Lord Lieutenant said:
“The act of remembrance is of huge importance and significance for the Isle of Wight, so it is disappointing that for this year we cannot have a shared act of remembrance but must all mark the day privately.
“Just as it is important to look back and remember the sacrifices made by so many, we must also look forward to a time when we have collectively worked together to find a way through the virus and are once again free to gather together on this important day.”
George Cameron, Chairman of the Isle of Wight Council said:
“I am sure that despite this disappointment, people will still mark this important occasion and by spending a few moments at 11.00 on the Sunday 8 and Wednesday 11 November, to “remember from home” all those that that gave their lives in war to protect our way of life.”
Anyone wishing to lay wreaths at the Newport War Memorial and any memorial across the Island are asked to do so over the course of Remembrance Sunday and also on Remembrance Day itself and in accordance with the latest social distancing guidance. This means that people can only be in groups of no more than 6 and must still maintain a distance of 2m from each other or 1m if wearing a face covering.
The annual Garden of Remembrance Service held at Carisbrooke Castle on the Thursday 5th November will this year be held in a very restricted form. The service will be videoed and the video will be available for viewing from Sunday 8th November.
English Heritage has kindly agreed to allow access for members of the public wishing to lay crosses in the Garden of Remembrance to do so after the service at pre-booked times between 11:45 and 12:45 on Thursday 5th November.
Booking with the Lieutenancy Office at [email protected].
Typical, council can ban this but they cannot seem to stop all the people coming over on the ferries this week from tier 2 and 3 locations, Councillor Stewart needs sacking.
Totally agree we was at waitrose on Monday and the ferry came in rammed to the hilt with cars packed with camping gear and suitcases. The chap across the road from us lives in Salford and he’s and his family have comedown to stay here in thier second Home. His attitude is stuff the lockdown I’m living here till we can go back when it’s eased and am sure alot of others have done the same. Also we were going to go for a walk along tennyson down to alum Bay but it was rammed on Tuesday no face masks no social distancing while people were waiting for chair lift or shops in the small Central area. So what I can’t understand is they put a lockdown in place but yet people can drive in and out of the area willy nilly so what’s the point of a lockdown? why not impose what other country’s do put road blocks up and ask where ethey are going the whole system is a farce?
If they own a property here they are entitled to live in it . Its a free country you can own as many properties as you want where you want .
And the sooner the law is changed so that no individual can own more than one property, the better.
Not really a free country if we are locked down, what Steve and I are saying is that it’s wrong to travel out of tier 3 area. There should be checks BEFORE people come over here. Simple. Still I guess you are one of those who thinks it is all fake anyway.
Very well said
Should the Govt have the power to dictate when you are allowed to leave your home, where you go, who you see, who you can invite into your home, when to open your business, what goods are essential and so on Or should those choices be yours?