Axminster Remembrance service brought forward to Wednesday to beat new COVID lockdown

Axminster's Remembrance service has been brought forward to this Wednesday following the government decision to lockdown the whole country.

The Axminster branch of the Royal Legion was planning to hold the service on The Minster Green on Sunday, November 8th with social distancing being observed. But the new lockdown regulations, which will come into force as from Thursday, prevents such a gathering taking place.

After consulting the Devon Royal British Legion, the chairman of the Axminster branch decided to bring the service forward to Wednesday, starting at 2.30 pm.

Mervyn Symes, the newly-appointed chairman of the Axminster branch of the Royal British Legion, said the format with be the same as originally planned with 26 wreaths due to be laid by civic leaders and members of local organisations.

The Royal British Legion chaplain, the Reverend Geoffrey Walsh, will be officiating at the service and Mr Symes will read out the names of the fallen from both world wars.

A number of civic dignitaries are expected to attend, including the Mayor of Axminster, Cllr Anni Young, and other representatives of business and community groups. The MP for Honiton and Tiverton, Neil Parish, was due to attend but as the vote to approve the new lockdown takes place in Parliament on Wednesday, he may not be able to.

The service will follow COVID-19 guidelines and people will be required to wear masks and maintain two metres social distancing. There will be hand sanitiser stations in situ and stewards will be on hand to ensure that social distancing is adhered to.

• The new lockdown will be debated in Parliament this week with a decision being made on Wednesday. Although several Tory MPs are threatening to vote against the government, the leader of the Labour Party, Sir Keir Starmer, has confirmed that Labour will support the motion which is likely to be approved. The new restrictions will then come into force on Thursday.