This year’s traditional commemoration of Remembrance Sunday on 8 November 2020 will be severely curtailed. COVID-19 restrictions mean that the normal parade, march and St Mary’s church service cannot take place. The commemoration will be an enhanced form of that used for this year’s commemoration of the 75th anniversaries of VE and VJ days. This restricts the activities to the green around the Liss War Memorial to observe the Act of Remembrance and Silence on behalf of the Community followed by wreath laying and prayer led by the Rector.
The parade and services on Remembrance Sunday form an important annual event for Liss. In addition to the wider village community, participation normally includes local councillors, the RBL branch, Liss Band and young people’s organisations. This year each contingent will be limited to its wreath layer.
We are certain all will very much understand the restrictions that apply and would not only ask but stress that people do not gather or converge in the immediate area around the junction of Rake and Mill roads during the time from 1045 to 1130. Unplanned crowding or lack of social distancing may cause the commemoration to be halted immediately which is something none of us would wish. It is hoped that the usual format for this well attended village event will resume in 2021.
Liss RBL Chairman
WATCH ONLINE – ANNOUNCEMENT FROM ST MARY’S
Dear British Legion,
I am one of the ministers at St Mary’s Church, Liss, and I am leading this Sunday morning’s Remembrance Day service.
With lockdown we are unable to hold a service in church, so this is being pre-recorded to make available online. With no gathering possible beyond a very few at the War Memorial either, I have endeavoured to make it very much a service for the whole village rather than simply for regular church members.
I am not sure whether you have any vehicles of last-minute communication to your members, but in case you do may I give you the online link for circulation? It will be on Youtube at https://youtu.be/xT3FHOWhdIw. The link will become live at 10.15 on Sunday morning, but people should know that they should wait to start watching at 10.25 if they want the two minutes silence to be at 11.00.
The service will also be available on the Facebook page of St Mary’s Church, Liss for any who prefer this.
It may be that you have already heard from or will hear from Rev Chris Williams, vicar – but I reasoned better for you to hear twice than not at all.
Thank you.
Kind regards,
Graham