Residents encouraged to take part in virtual Remembrance event

Dacorum Borough Council and the Hemel Hempstead branch of the Royal British Legion (RBL) have confirmed that the traditional Remembrance Sunday event will not go ahead this year, due to the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

Remembrance is hugely important in honouring the service and sacrifice of our Armed Forces, veterans and their families. In light of this, the Council and the RBL would like to encourage residents to take part in a virtual Remembrance event.

Residents are being invited to send in their own personal Remembrance messages (of up to 30 words) and photographs, which will be compiled in a video and shared through the Council’s social media. Messages and photographs can be emailed to: mayors.secretary@dacorum.gov.uk.

Residents can also show their support by displaying a poppy poster, or coloured-in poppy in their window. Poppy posters and colouring templates are both available to download from the British Legion website: www.britishlegion.org.uk. Poppies can also be purchased from the Poppy Shop on this website.

On Remembrance Sunday on 8 November, residents are being asked to join in the two minutes silence at 11am from their doorsteps.

Cllr Andrew Williams, Leader of Dacorum Borough Council said: ‘The decision not to proceed with this year’s traditional Remembrance event was a difficult one. However ensuring public safety and adhering to Covid-19 guidelines has to be our first priority. I hope that our residents will embrace the alternative approach this year and take the opportunity to pay tribute to our Armed Forces in this safe, secure way.’