Remembrance Sunday with restricted numbers in Mid and East Antrim

It is understood that just a wreath-laying service will be taking place in some towns to commemorate those who lost their lives in both World Wars and other conflicts with the number of participants at each war memorial limited to adhere to social distancing.

Bill Dornan, chairman, of Whitehead Royal British Legion and Group Three chairman, said: “We are still allowed to hold a remembrance service but very limited in the number of people we can have due to Covid.

“The important thing is that we never forget. One of the most essential things going forward is that there are generations coming behind us and that they need to remember as well.”

Mid and East Antrim council is expected to be represented at each act of remembrance in the borough with a wreath laid at each service.

Meanwhile, the presentation of commemorative silver poppies will be presented to 10 World War II veterans in Mid and East Antrim next month.

One veteran’s family will receive the tribute posthumously.

It is hoped that a few socially distanced receptions can be held to facilitate a presentation closest to a veteran’s home, where appropriate, with Her Majesty’s representative Lord Lieutenant David McCorkell, Mid and East Antrim Mayor, Councillor Peter Johnston and Veterans’ Champion Alderman John Carson in attendance.

It is proposed to record the presentations to be broadcast on the council’s social media platforms in the run-up to Remembrance Sunday on November 8.

Last week, a meeting of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council was told that a presentation planned in May had to be postponed while the vast majority of recipients were shielding and the manufacturer of the council’s bespoke silver poppy suspended production as Northern Ireland went into lockdown.

Earlier this year only 10 people were able to attend the Somme remembrance at the Co Antrim War Memorial. Read here

Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter.

--

A message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high-quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the highest standards in the world.

The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers and consequently the advertising that we receive.

We are now more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you.