The Day That Sussex Commemorates: Remembrance Day 2020

People in Sussex are being urged to take part in remembrance from home, as many of the ordinary commemoration events are cancelled in the wake of coronavirus rules.

We're also asked not to attend war memorials today, but to conduct our two minutes of silence on our doorsteps instead.

Wreaths are still to be laid in most areas of Sussex, although this will be conducted by a small number of already invited guests.

In East Sussex, we're asked to place a poppy on the 'poppy car' in Rother, and in Burgess Hill and Eastbourne, services will be streamed virtually.

Meanwhile, in West Sussex, the garden of remembrance will be open in Adur and Worthing until the 11th November, and in Chichester, services will be held virtually. 

HAILSHAM

On Sunday 8 November, a closed service of remembrance will be held at the Hailsham War Memorial at 11am led by the Royal British Legion, Hailsham Branch.

Because of the restrictions imposed due to the pandemic, it is unfortunate that there will not be a parade or full service as there usually is. There will be a short wreath-laying ceremony and two minutes silence at 11.00am as usual.

A small number of invited guests will attend, and to ensure the safety of all those who are participating and to comply with social distancing measures, the War Memorial will be closed to the public that morning, until after the service.

EASTBOURNE

Eastbourne residents are being asked to observe two-minutes' silence from their doorsteps on Remembrance Sunday.

The service will be broadcast online from 10.45am on the 8th of November to protect residents and veterans from coronavirus.

The silence will be observed at 11am following the broadcast.

ADUR AND WORTHING

A commemorative event to pay tribute to those who have given their lives to war, in a way that ensures public safety, will be held in Worthing on Remembrance Sunday.

In previous years, the day has been marked with a March Past and Remembrance Service at the War Memorial outside Worthing Town Hall, attended by armed forces representatives, local organisations from Worthing and thousands of local residents wishing to pay their respects. However, due to the COVID pandemic, this will not be taking place.

Instead, a church service, which will be invitation-only, led by the Mayor's Chaplain and attended by a limited number of guests including representatives of the armed forces, is being organised. A two-minute silence will be observed during the service. 

To comply with social distancing measures and ensure public safety, members of the public are urged not to attend the Town Hall War Memorial on Remembrance Sunday, but to commemorate the day and observe the two-minute silence from the safety of their own homes.

The Garden of Remembrance will also be open from  2nd - 11th November for people to pay their respects privately throughout this time. 

BURGESS HILL

The ceremony will be live-streamed on the Town Council’s Facebook page for residents to watch.

For your own safety, and the safety of others members of the public are asked not to attend the War Memorial in person for the service. After the ceremony, wreaths will be laid.

HASTINGS

Remembrance in Hastings has been further reduced in size by the Borough Council, following National lockdown restrictions being announced.

Wreaths will still be laid at Alexandra Park, but only six invited people will be able to participate.

We're asked not to attend the memorial on Sunday, but to commemorate at home instead.