Remembrance Sunday fell on November 8 this year, marking the 102nd year since the end of the First World War in 1918. This year, Cheltenham commemorated this anniversary in a very different way from usual, due to the nationwide lockdown.
At 10:45am on Sunday, people gathered outside the Municipal Offices by the War Memorial, awaiting the beginning of the service. The atmosphere was strangely quiet with general murmur and a low hum of music from a speaker replacing the usual parade.
Due to the long-standing Covid restrictions and the additional lockdown implemented on November 5, safety measures, such as tapes and barriers were in place and police officers stood, blocking the roads to allow people to stand and socially distance.
This year the wreath bearers were “specially invited” and stood in their individual boxes marked with chalk and awaited the signal to proceed at two-minute intervals to lay their wreaths.
A spokesperson for Cheltenham Borough Council said that it was very important that other options to attend the service were also made available to “discourage crowds” and ensure the event could be safely conducted as it is has previously attracted “between 2 and 3 thousand people each year in all weathers.” People were instead encouraged to watch the ceremony online where it was “livestreamed on the Cheltenham Borough Council Youtube Channel.”
Andrea Williams, a local woman to Cheltenham, said that Remembrance Sunday is something she holds “very dear to my heart.” Even with current restrictions, she said it was “important to celebrate Remembrance Day, because lots of people lost their lives for us.” Williams' dad served 22 years in the Devon and Dorset regiment and, growing up as an army daughter, the service is very significant to her. She has attended a Remembrance event every year for over 40 years.
Williams also talked about her role in helping create a display to help raise money for the Royal British Legion, which can be viewed at Morrison’s in Cheltenham.
Meanwhile, Roy Roberts- the Chairman of the Royal British Legion- spoke on how fundraising had been dramatically impacted this year. Last year Cheltenham raised roughly £100,000, but guaranteed losses in donations this year will directly impact the support that the Royal British Legion will be able to offer people.
From a service that usually engulfs the town, it was clear that this year, many had understandably chosen to watch from home. And after 25 minutes, when the last wreath was placed, the rain began and the service came to an end.
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