Kingsbridge Remembrance Day service will be shorter but Covid-safe

Kingsbridge is marking Remembrance Day with a short service at the war memorial on Embankment Road. 

While the restrictions on gathering outside have been lifted, Kingsbridge and District Branch of the Royal British Legion organisers are still aware of the risks of catching and spreading the virus, and have therefore decided to “moderate” the Kingsbridge Remembrance Sunday event. 

The event, which will take place on Sunday, November 14, will not feature a parade, no band and no community group involvements, but the safeguarding of local people is “paramount” and all attendees are asked to wear masks. 

The service, which will last around 15 minutes, will start at 10.45am. A road closure will be in force to reduce background noise and allow people to spread out and stand in the road. 

There will be an introduction and prayer by Reverend Jackie Taylor, Royal British Legion chaplain; followed by an exhortation by the president of the RBL. The Last Post will be played over the PA system and a two minutes silence will take place at 11am. 

A single wreath will then be laid by the Kingsbridge and District Branch of the Royal British Legion and Kingsbridge Town Mayor on behalf of the whole Kingsbridge community, churches and associations. 

Organisers said: “Covid-19 will be a feature of our lives for the foreseeable future so we need to manage the risk of infection to ourselves and others. Therefore, and taking stock of the recent surge in cases, a decision has been made to moderate the Kingsbridge Remembrance Sunday event on 14 November. 

“While the above will be a much reduced Remembrance Sunday event, for the reasons provided, it will be sustained as a meaningful commemoration for the service and sacrifice of the Armed Forces community and civilians from Britain and the Commonwealth.”