Knutsford proudly remembers the fallen of Knutsford with strong attendances at its annual remembrance services. Unfortunately, due to the coronavirus pandemic, this year the town council and Royal British Legion have had to scale back the services and cancel the annual parade.
In line with Government direction for remembrance services, the wider public are encouraged to visit memorials during their own time and outside the services. Attendance at services is reserved for those who wish to lay wreaths and serving members and veterans of the armed forces.
Our services for Remembrance Sunday on Sunday 8th November are set out below.
The principal service will be held at the Centennial War Memorial at 10:45am and will be livestreamed to the Town Council’s Facebook page to enable the community to join the service remotely. Whilst the public will not be prevented from attending, if necessary, the Library Gardens will be closed during the service to ensure social distancing can be maintained. Anyone who wishes to lay a wreath during the service should register by emailing enquiries@knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk.
At 11:45am a service will be held at the Crosstown War Memorial. Due to the limited space around the memorial this is strictly limited to representatives of St Cross Church, the Town Mayor and the Royal British Legion.
At 12:20pm a short service and wreath laying will be held at the War Memorial Cottage Hospital. This will be limited to the laying of wreaths by the Royal British Legion, Cheshire East Council, the MP and the Town Mayor. Space will be set aside for public spectators, but we ask that where possible people visit the memorial earlier/later in the day to pay their own respects.
A final service will take place at 1pm at the Parachute Regiment Memorial in Tatton Park. This will principally be limited to the laying of wreaths by the Royal British Legion, Cheshire East Council, the Town Mayor, and representatives of the Air Cadets and Parachute Regiment. Again, space will be set aside for public spectators, and we ask that where possible people visit the memorial earlier/later in the day to pay their own respects.
“It seems perverse to be encouraging our residents not to attend remembrance services particularly during the year of the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II, but we hope that many of you will tune in via our Facebook page for the main service or take the opportunity to remember the fallen over the course of the day” said Town Clerk, Adam Keppel-Green.