Stopfordians encouraged to mark Remembrance Sunday from home

This year, Remembrance Sunday will be commemorated in different ways than usual in Stockport, because of the coronavirus pandemic.

In line with national guidance, Stopfordians are encouraged to pay their respects to those who gave their lives in service of country at home this Remembrance Sunday.

On Sunday 8 November, a private civic commemoration will take place. There will be no public events taking place at War Memorials and Cenotaphs on Remembrance Sunday or Armistice Day (Wednesday 11 November) in Stockport.

Stockport Council is working in partnership with the Armed Forces community to ensure that everyone is able to reflect and remember safely. Ways this can be done include:

• Take part in the ‘Two Minute Doorstep Remembrance’ at 11am on Sunday 8 November, which allows the nation to come together to remember those who gave their lives in the ultimate sacrifice.
• Leave a message or tribute on Stockport Council’s online book of commemoration
• Get ideas on how to put together an online exhibition of Remembrance or set up a Remembrance space in a garden, as well as much more, by visiting the Royal British Legion website
• Share photos, videos, stories and artwork of commemorating Remembrance Sunday 2020 from your home, using the hashtag #SKRemembers in your social media messages

Covid-19 has also meant that the Royal British Legion’s 2020 Poppy Appeal has had to go online, but families can still get involved by downloading and colouring in a Remembrance Poppy to display in their window as a show of support – visit the Poppy Appeal webpages to find out more and make a donation to the Poppy Appeal.

The Mayor of Stockport, Cllr Dean Fitzpatrick, said:

It’s a great shame that we cannot all come together to commemorate Remembrance Day. But this year, is not like any other year. And as the safety of our veterans and residents is our number one priority, we’ve had to make some changes to what we normally do.

“This is still an important time to give our thanks to all who served and died for our country and honour those veterans and actively serving members of the armed services, in what are undoubtedly difficult circumstances.”