Remembrance Sunday in Newham – November 8 2020

In a year in which we marked the 75th anniversary of VE Day, the 80th anniversary of start of the Blitz and the sad passing of Newham’s own forces sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn, the desire to honour our Armed Forces and war dead on Remembrance Sunday has seldom been stronger.

However 2020 also marks the year of the Covid-19 pandemic and that means, sadly things will have to be very different.

To comply with national lockdown restrictions which will be in place from midnight Wednesday 4 November, the Royal British Legion has taken the very difficult decision to cancel the annual Remembrance Sunday Parade from East Ham Town Hall.

A service of remembrance will be held at the Cenotaph in Central Park, East Ham, but this will be a much smaller event than usual, with attendance by invitation only. However to allow residents to pay their respects from the safety of home the service will be available to watch on the Council’s YouTube channel.

Cllr Charlene McLean, Deputy Mayor and lead member for Resident Engagement and Participation said; “In this significant year for remembrance, it is sad that we cannot honour those that gave their lives to secure our freedom, in the usual way.

“However paying a fitting tribute to all those who have served and defended our values, freedoms and way of life remains extremely important. That’s why I would urge you all to take the time on Sunday 8 November to join the two minutes silence – from your front rooms, from your front doors, from wherever you find yourselves – to make that act of remembrance.

“Working alongside the Royal British Legion, we have had to consider the well-being of those attending the service as our priority so I would appeal to residents not to visit to the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday but to view the service online on the Council YouTube channel.

“I would also urge Newham residents to support the Royal British Legion’s fund raising efforts at britishlegion.org.uk - where there are many suggested ways to mark the occasion.

“We will remember them.”