October 30th, 2020.


Following the decision to cancel any physical Remembrance Sunday Service at the Seaford War Memorial on the 8th of November, the Town Council, represented by The Mayor, Cllr Rodney Reed and the Young Mayor, Chanel Pritchard, have laid a wreath at Seaford War Memorial on behalf of the people of Seaford.

The wreath frame is now available at the War Memorial for any business, organisation or individual who wishes to lay a wreath or tribute before November the 8th. When laying wreaths all current Covid-19 guidance must be followed.

The Mayor, Cllr Rodney Reed, sead: “Laying the Town’s Remembrance wreaths was a particularly poignant experience for me this year. Particularly, because the need to do so while maintaining social distancing was a strong reminder of those who could not be present at the War Memorial.

"Each year we solemnly remember our Armed Forces personnel and the civilians who laid down their lives in wartime and in recent years in international peace keeping or humanitarian aid missions. This year we are also conscious of those who would have been standing with us at our War Memorial, but for the Covid-19 pandemic invading our world.

"The logistical contribution and mobile testing centre support provided by our Armed Forces personnel in the COVID-19 response is also commendable and memorable. As with every Remembrance event, Seaford remembers with grateful thanks the sacrifices made for us all.”

Following the wreath laying at the War Memorial a wreath was also laid at the Commonwealth War Graves in Seaford Cemetery. There are 275 Commonwealth War graves which include those who were buried during World Wars I and II. The graves include those fallen from the UK but also including some who were far away from home including the West Indies and Canada. The youngest being only 17 years old.

The Deputy Mayor of Seaford, Cllr Jean Cash, who was unfortunately unable to attend the wreath laying, shares this message: “The Commonwealth War Graves Commission care for the graves of 1,700,000 casualties of World War I and World War II. At this time of the year, all over the world, communities come together to honour and remember those of all colours and creeds who left their homelands to fight for our freedom, and sadly never returned to their homes and families. We will not forget those who gave their lives in the past so that we could have a better future.”

To enable the Seaford community to share in this important period of remembrance, the Town Council is encouraging innovative ways of marking Remembrance:

Wreath Laying
From Friday the 30th of October, the wreath frames will be at the War Memorial to enable members of the public, businesses and organisations to lay wreaths in the lead up to Remembrance Sunday on the 8th of November. It is requested that wreaths are laid before the 8th of November to prevent any risks of crowding on that day. When laying wreaths all current Covid-19 guidance must be followed.

National Two-Minutes Silence
The Town Council is encouraging members of the public to privately take part in the national two-minutes silence at 11.00am on Sunday the 8th of November. 

Remembering at Home
There are many ways to be involved in ‘Remember at Home’ which need not be seen as less significant or less respectful. The Royal British Legion is sharing ideas for alternative ways to remember:

· Hold a small Remembrance service in your garden following social distancing rules.

· Create a Remembrance space in your garden by planting plants that have a connection to Remembrance.

· Use Zoom, Facebook or another online meeting resource to host an online Remembrance service or activity.

· Set up a community Remembrance forum to discuss different residents’ Remembrance stories.

· Create an online exhibition of Remembrance related photos from local residents that schools or others could use to discuss local Remembrance activities.

· Hold an online interview with a local veteran or someone currently serving to discuss what service and sacrifice means to them. You could send people the link and create an online audience.

· Open an online book of Remembrance that family, friends and others can sign as a mark of Remembrance.

· Write letters of Remembrance to veterans or serving personnel.

· Use the Royal British Legion’s Remembrance education activities to help children learn about Remembrance.

· Create your own Remembrance art piece using the Royal British Legion’s teaching resources – children and families could display something in their window like the rainbows for the NHS.

Share Your Activities
A Seaford Town Council spokesperson explained: “This year has seen everyone needing to adapt to a completely new way of living, but with that has come opportunities to be involved in our community in innovative ways which we have seen can positively bring even more people together. Seaford is extremely proud of the Armed Forces past and present who sacrificed themselves to protect our Country and way of life. It is now our turn to do our bit to protect the health and wellbeing of the local community.”

The Town Council will be offering its Facebook page as a platform for the community to see and share their acts of Remembrance. Send in photos and messages either via Facebook or to admin@seafordtowncouncil.gov.uk so that officers can share as many as possible over the period of remembrance.

Ideas include window decorations, garden tributes, poems, photographs of war heroes, or anything that you would like to share with the community at this time. P


“In every act of remembrance, we honour the memory of the fallen and pledge to care for the living. We will remember them.” The Royal British Legion, 2020.

www.britishlegion.org.uk