2020 has not been the year anyone of us could have foreseen, all aspects of our lives have been affected.  Due to COVID19 we must all do our bit to protect members of our community in trying our best to limit the contact we have.  Therefore, following a meeting with our Local British Legion and the Church it is with heavy heart, but no Remembrance Parade will take place this year.

There will still be a small wreath laying ceremony, which will be closed and restricted to 6 representatives from our Padstow Branch of the Legion, our Town Mayor and Church Representative, along with bugler to play the Last Post.   All of whom will follow social distancing rules.

Letters from our Local British Legion are being sent out to relevant people/organisations to advise of this.  You are encouraged to still purchase your poppy wreath and collect from Mrs Barbara Flanagan of 39 Pellew Close, Padstow anytime on Friday 30 October.

The Legion are also inviting organisations to personally lay their wreaths at the War Memorial during the period of remembrance (up to 11 November 2020).  Wreath laying photos are being invited to be sent to Paulwillis850@hotmail.com to post on the Legions Facebook page.

Trevor Jones, Chairman for Padstow Branch of the British Legion commented that: “This is not a decision that we made lightly, but we do need to follow the Government guidelines of no more than 6 at a gathering. Hopefully, normal  service will be resumed next year.”

Councillor Watson-Smyth, Mayor for Padstow Town Council commented that: “Whilst it is with heavy heart that these precautions for our 2020 Remembrance Sunday have to be taken – we will all remember – and we can all take a moment either on Remembrance Sunday or Armistice Day to quietly reflect.  This is a time to come together in heart so that we can all come together in person, as we usually would, for Remembrance Sunday 2021.”

Some may have noticed that our community’s Tommy figure has been missing from his Stile Field post.  He is being fixed once more following damage from the elements due to his exposed location.  Councillor Watson-Smyth clarified that “We liaised with the Legion and the Church to come up with a better home for him and I’m pleased to advise that once he is back and fit for service he will be placed in the Garden of Remembrance in Padstow Churchyard, hopefully in time for Remembrance Sunday.”

Trevor Jones, Chairman for Padstow Branch of the British Legion added: “Tommy is being moved to the Garden of Remembrance because unfortunately the elements are too strong for it up stile. In the churchyard it is well protected from the weather. Although stile was the ideal location it is more practical to have him the Churchyard where he will still be seen by many.”