Remembrance Day commemorations see changes across Harrogate district due to lockdown rules

The parade through the town to the war memorial and service at St John’s Church have both been cancelled, as the UK returns to a second national lockdown.

The Knaresborough branch is urging residents to stay at home to protect themselves and those around them on the 100th Anniversary of the unveiling of both the Cenotaph and the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior.

Vice-chair David Houlgate has encouraged people to pay their respects by watching the Remembrance Service in Whitehall on television.

Mr Houlgate said: “At 11am, we ask that people please stand on their front doorstep for a 2-minute silence of remembrance.

“If people and organisations wish to lay wreaths individually sometime later, please do so on Remembrance Sunday afternoon or Armistice Day on November 11.

“I am sure that our fallen would understand the reasons behind these actions, in view of this terrible pandemic. Whatever people decide to do, please stay safe.”

Like many other national organisations, The Royal British Legion will lose significant funding this year as the usual poppy selling cannot take place on any scale.

It had already been publicised that no street selling would take place on the High Street, though plans were put in place to have a stall on November 4 at Knaresborough market, limited to poppies and pin badges.

Mr Houlgate credited the town’s patience and gave hope for a return to traditional commemorations in the future.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank all those that have contributed in the past and we hope things will be back to normal next year,” he said.

The Knaresborough announcement comes after the Nidderdale branch of The Royal British Legion cancelled its annual events in the wake of the lockdown, including the war memorial parade in Pateley Bridge and Armistice Day service, which were due to take place on Wednesday, November 11.

The Nidderdale branch still intends to follow strict social distancing in laying wreaths at the war memorial at 11am on Armistice Day, to keep up a tradition dating back almost 90 years.

However, it is not encouraging any other residents, visitors or organisations to do so at that time, and respects will be paid as quickly as possible with minimum members present.

The Legion is asking those intending to lay wreaths on behalf of organisations to do so after the Nidderdale branch has left on Armistice Day, or any time from Remembrance Sunday onwards.

The public are also being urged to pay their respects privately and responsibly, observing a two minutes of silence from their doorstep and displaying poppies at home.