COVENTRY’s Remembrance Sunday commemorations will be streamed online this year to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
The arrangements have been made by the city’s civic and faith leaders and representatives of Armed Forces groups.
The council is working with BBC Coventry and Warwickshire to create a pre-recorded Act of Remembrance that will be broadcast and available to watch online on Remembrance Sunday.
This year is the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, and November 14 also marks 80 years since the Blitz that devastated the city.
The programme, replacing the traditional events at the Cenotaph and London Road Cemetery, will be pay tribute to all those who lost their lives and showed such bravery to keep others safe while serving and on the Home Front.
Lord Mayor of Coventry, Coun Ann Lucas said: “It is a sad decision to cancel the city’s traditional Remembrance Day events, but it is the right decision.
“With the threat of COVID-19 still very much in our city, we must do all we can to protect people, especially the vulnerable, and support the brilliant efforts of our NHS and care workers.”
“However, as a city of peace and reconciliation, we are determined that Covid will not prevent us marking the day and honouring those who gave so much.”
The programme will run on from 10.50am to 11.15am on November 8 and will include the national two-minute silence, playing of The Last Post, a reading of The Kohima and the laying of wreaths.
It will be broadcast on BBC CWR and online via the council’s and BBC CWR websites.
Leader of the Council, Coun George Duggins, said: “Coventry is very proud to be a city of peace and reconciliation and Remembrance Day and the anniversary of the Blitz are rightly so important to so many in our city – and always will be.
“It may be a different event, but the message of remembrance will be as strong as ever and I hope people will join us to pay their own personal tributes and support that of the city.”
The Bishop of Coventry, the Right Reverend Dr Christopher Cocksworth, said: “In these Covid times, it is as important as ever that Coventry remembers those who gave their lives to keep us safe and also commemorate the day when our city suffered such devastation, but emerged with a desire to spread a message of peace and reconciliation.
“This year we will not be able to stand side by side in the War Memorial Park, but we can still be together in spirit and remember, and show that we will honour their sacrifice by continuing our work for peace.”
The Bishop of Coventry, the Right Reverend Dr Christopher Cocksworth, said: “In these Covid times, it is as important as ever that Coventry remembers those who gave their lives to keep us safe and also commemorate the day when our city suffered such devastation, but emerged with a desire to spread a message of peace and reconciliation.
“This year we will not be able to stand side by side in the War Memorial Park, but we can still be together in spirit and remember, and show that we will honour their sacrifice by continuing our work for peace.”
Gordon Garland, President of the Royal British Legion and Poppy Appeal Organiser, said the decision was not taken lightly.
“Over recent months, people in Coventry have worked so hard to keep one another safe and this is just one more sacrifice we have to make.”
Wreaths will be on display all-day on Remembrance Sunday at The Cenotaph in the War Memorial Park and London Road.
