Remembrance Sunday 2020 observed in adapted way across South Tyneside

Virtual tributes were held across the borough at 11am, as they will be on Armistice Day itself, Wednesday, November 11.

Traditional Remembrance Sunday events – such as services, parades and other commemorative acts – could not take place this year across the UK, owing to the restrictions brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Instead, residents were asked to pay their respects at home, by observing the national two-minute silence and following local tributes organised by South Tyneside Council.

The council also streamed a pre-recorded virtual service, featuring a two-minute silence and footage of wreaths being laid at borough war memorials, for those taking part remotely across the borough.

Nationally, the Queen led official proceedings to mark the date, having been joined by family members and the Prime Minister in commemorating the UK’s war dead at the scaled-back service at the Cenotaph in London.

As was the case locally, the public were asked not to attend the Cenotaph this year, with Remembrance Sunday taking place during a second national lockdown in England.

Britons were instead encouraged to take part in the two-minute silence at 11am at home.

In other years, Whitehall would usually have been packed with thousands of veterans and military. But on Sunday, less than 30 veterans were in attendance.

Commenting ahead of this year’s commemorative tributes, Armed Forces veteran and mayor of South Tyneside, Norman Dick, said: “We are extremely proud of our Armed Forces past and present and always place our veterans and military personnel at the heart of our commemorations.

“Sadly, it is simply not possible to deliver our traditional remembrance events in line with Government restrictions. We understand many people will be disappointed, but the safety of our residents, visitors, military personnel, veterans and their families, are our main priority right now. They must be protected, particularly at this crucial stage in the pandemic.

“Although, we are not holding any physical public events, we will still mark this very special occasion and are urging people to get involved safely by observing a two minutes’ silence on their doorstep, in their garden or in the home.”

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