People in Bristol are asked to observe Remembrance Sunday from their homes this year as the city marks the commemorations with a revised schedule of events, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

This year the traditional parade will not take place at the Cenotaph on Sunday 8th November, however, the Act of Remembrance will be carried out as part of a pre-recorded service filmed at HMS Flying Fox, the Royal Naval Reserve Unit in the south of the city.

This recording will be posted on Bristol City Council’s Facebook page at 11am on Remembrance Sunday, with residents and veterans being urged not to come into the city centre to mark the occasion to help ensure safety in view of the pandemic’s restrictions.

Instead, people will be encouraged to pay their respects at home by:

• Observing the national two-minute silence from their garden or pavement outside their house
• Including readings, music or other elements in order to make their ceremony or event relevant to their household
• Following the service on the Council’s social media
• Displaying a poppy poster in their window

Lord Mayor of Bristol Jos Clark explains:

“Remembrance Sunday remains a hugely important event to be marked in the city and while, unfortunately, there will be no official parade or service taking place this year, we are carrying out the commemoration in a special way.

“Our priority is to keep our veterans and everyone else safe, in accordance with government guidelines. But this is a special year due to the impact of Covid-19 and we will work with the Armed Forces to ensure everyone can reflect and remember.’’

“The Act of Remembrance is non-religious, making it well-suited for people to ‘Remember from Home’. We hope people will take the opportunity to pause, reflect and remember those who have given their lives.”

Surgeon Commander Richard Bateman RNR, HMS Flying Fox adds:

“This year has seen us all face challenges on how we have commemorated the 75th Anniversary of VE Day, VJ Day and now Remembrance. HMS Flying Fox has actively participated in marking these historic events, as we remember all those who fought and made the ultimate sacrifice.”

The pre-recorded service from HMS Flying Fox will be available online from 11am on the council’s Facebook page facebook.com/BristolCityCouncil.