Observing Remembrance Day in lockdown

In common with many other councils across the country, Northam Town Council's usual Remembrance Sunday parade and service were hit by the restrictions surrounding the coronavirus pandemic. Instead, Northam Town Council decided to use the money set aside for the civic event to donate £750 to the Poppy Appeal, which has not been able to do its normal fundraising this year. The Royal British Legion had 12,000 fewer stewards manning Poppy Appeal posts across the UK this year.

On Saturday morning, Mayor David Chalmers and Town Clerk Jane Mills, laid wreaths of poppies on the War Memorials in Appledore and Northam on behalf of the Council, in honour of all those who sacrificed their lives for the country and its democratic values.

Mayor David Chalmers commented:

'We all know that we are living in exceptional times with the country in lockdown. It was felt that we could not be seen to be encouraging groups of people and the public to come together in large numbers and potentially break the law. Local organisations and individuals are still able to pay their respects in their own time and make a personal recognition of those that made the ultimate sacrifice. It was sad that we were not able to have our Remembrance Day Services, and the Poppy Appeal has not been able to do its normal fundraising, but at least some good has come out of this difficult situation.'

On Sunday morning, Lib Dem Councillor Sam Newman-Mackie laid wreaths at Northam and Appledore war memorials on behalf of the party, and Trevor Johns laid one in Bideford.