RESIDENTS and town council members continued to pay their respects to fallen servicemen, despite the second national lockdown, as part of muted observances to mark Remembrance Sunday.

As the town’s usual Remembrance Sunday parade was cancelled this year due to the lockdown, the Town Council marked the occasion with two occasions to remember our fallen during conflicts around the globe.

Her Worship the Mayor of Christchurch, Cllr Lesley Dedman visited The Christchurch Priory brought forward its service so that it was pre-recorded in line with many across the country on Tuesday November 3.

Whereas, on Sunday November 8, the Mayor laid a wreath on behalf of the Town Council at The Word War II Memorial at Quay Road in Christchurch.

The Mayor of Christchurch, Cllr Lesley Dedman said: “I was tremendously pleased that despite the restrictions of the Covid-19 pandemic this year, Christchurch was still able to pay tribute to all those fallen in, or affected by, conflict.

“Whilst adhering strictly to government guidance, the service at our Christchurch Quay Memorial Stone was attended by representatives of the armed forces and services, and wreaths laid.

“At the eleventh hour, the Last Post was played, and the Exhortation said, and then the Kohima recited by a small child to end this small but very poignant remembrance service for 2020.”

The Town Council have no plans in place for Armistice Day this year, due to the pandemic and the newly created regulations which does not provide an exception for gatherings on Wednesday November 11 other than in Westminster Abbey.

As Christchurch Priory were not able to host their annual Royal British Legion Service of Remembrance, they recorded a service in the week preceding Remembrance Sunday which was uploaded to their YouTube channel on Sunday so that people isolating in their homes could still pay their respects.

The service was led by the Revd. Jonathan Evans, Assistant Curate. The Vicar, Canon Charles Stewart preached the sermon, and the Intercessions were led by the Revd. Richard Partridge, Associate Priest.

Elsewhere in the town and further afield, community groups and schools, including Highcliffe St Mark Primary School produced displays commemorating those who have lost their lives in combat.

In Burton, a lone trumpeter ventured out to the village green to play the Last Post at 11am on Sunday for those paying respects in their homes.