By Emily Rooney
A selection of virtual events are being planned for Remembrance Day in Leicester, instead of the usual wreath laying ceremony at the Memorial Arch in Victoria Park.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic the usual Remembrance Day services and wreath laying ceremony, at the Edward Lutyens arch in Victoria Park, cannot happen this year as social distancing and mask wearing would be very difficult due to the nature of the event.
In lieu of the usual event, Leicester College are running a livestream on 11th November, with an opening address from Ian Everitt, followed by poetry readings of both The Soldier by Rupert Brooke, and For The Fallen by Laurence Binyon.
As well as this, The Last Post will be played, followed by the two minutes silence that is usual to commemorate Remembrance Day.
The livestream is listed on Facebook, and will run from 10:40am until 11:02am.
The office of the Leicester Lord Mayor (Cllr Annette Byrne), has launched a Post a Poppy campaign, which is encouraging people to submit photographs of their Remembrance-themed works such as drawings, flower displays, and baking.
There are plans to include the works in a display in the city centre.
The Lord Mayor said, “As a result of ongoing Covid-19 restrictions, it is not surprising that we will be unable to hold our usual Remembrance Day commemorations this year.
“We are extremely disappointed to be unable to provide the opportunity for the citizens of Leicester and Leicestershire to join us and show their respects for the men and women who have lost their lives in conflict, while serving their country.”
Continuing onto the details of the Post a Poppy campaign, she said “We are also encouraging people to get involved in our “Post a Poppy” campaign, by sending us a picture of themselves with their poppy, or even make a poppy to wear, bake a poppy cake or make a poppy display in your garden.”
Submissions for the Post a Poppy campaign can be sent to lord.mayor@leicester.gov.uk
