How Hartlepool will mark Remembrance Day and Remembrance Sunday in 2020 - and what you can do to take part

The memorial in Victory Square in the town centre and Headland War Memorial in Redheugh Gardens will both be lit up by Hartlepool Borough Council on the evening of Wednesday, November 11.

Details have also been announced for how people can pay their respects this year after the traditional parade and wreath laying ceremony on Remembrance Sunday has had to be cancelled because of the coronavirus situation.

Instead, Armed Forces Associations and individuals are being invited to lay wreaths at Victory Square from 12 noon on Friday, November 6, and throughout the day on Saturday, November 7.

Two formal wreath laying Acts of Remembrance will take place and be filmed on Friday at Victory Square and Redheugh Gardens and the recordings will be shared via the council’s website and social media platforms.

The same day the council will raise three Union Flags which will be flown until Friday, November 13.

Remembrance crosses for Hartlepool soldiers who lost their lives will also be planted in Victory Square and an online Book of Remembrance will be available to sign at www.hartlepool.gov.uk/remembrance2020.

As part of this year’s commemorations, the Lord-Lieutenant of County Durham Sue Snowdon has kindly agreed to record a special video message.

Hartlepool Borough Council Managing Director Denise McGuckin said: “We owe a tremendous debt to generations of our local service men and women and to our emergency services for the sacrifices they have made and the bravery and dedication they have shown.

“This is not a decision we have taken lightly and unfortunately our Remembrance events will look somewhat different this year as a result of COVID-19 restrictions, but I’m pleased residents will still be able to watch these Acts of Remembrance and sign an online Book of Remembrance.

“It’s the first time we’ll have lit war memorials in this way and I hope this will help us mark Remembrance 2020 with the due dignity it deserves.”

Ideas for how people can mark the occasion at home are to hold a small Remembrance service in your garden, create a Remembrance space in your garden with plants that have a connection to Remembrance, host an online Remembrance service using Zoom or Facebook, and write letters of Remembrance to veterans or serving personnel.

Local artist Diane Watson has also created a short YouTube video showing how to make a poppy from a recycled plastic bottle.

And St Hilda's Church organist Ian Pounder has kindly offered to record two hymns.

The acts of remembrance will be available to watch online from Friday afternoon at www.hartlepool.gov.uk/remembrance2020 and across the weekend at www.facebook.com/hartlepoolcouncil and www.twitter.com/HpoolCouncil

Hartlepool Poppy Appeal has announced it will unfortunately have to close its face-to-face fundraising stalls in Middleton Grange shopping centre and Morrisons in Clarence Road when the new lockdown begins on Thursday, November 5.

Organiser Sian Cameron said it had been great to get positive feedback and fantastic to raise awareness and funds despite the pandemic.

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