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Shortened Forres Remembrance services to go ahead with coronavirus safety measures


By Garry McCartney

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Wreath laying at Forres War Memorial will go ahead this year.
Wreath laying at Forres War Memorial will go ahead this year.

FORRES will have short services at the War Memorial to commemorate British and Commonwealth military and civilian personnel in the World Wars and later conflicts.

In light of the coronavirus pandemic, event organisers the Forres branch of the Royal British Legion (Scotland) are taking safety precautions to ensure the annual event goes ahead at 10.45am on Sunday, November 8 and Wednesday, November 11.

Branch secretary Mary Sobey confirmed Remembrance Day will be more subdued as there will be no public parade.

She said: "It will be short and sweet but it is necessary to pay our respects as we do every year. It is very sad that we will not have the church service followed by our parade but in these sad times we have to cut things short."

On November 8, Deputy Lord Lieutenant Alan James will lay a wreath on behalf of HRH The Queen, followed by the RBLS and representatives of the other groups taking part.

Forres and District Pipe Band piper major Gordon Roy and drum major Mike Munro will attend alongside RBLS standard bearers, Forres Community Councillor Sean Moat, a Royal Air Forces Association representative and more to be confirmed.

"I have encouraged social distancing and the wearing of masks," said Ms Sobey. "There will also be hand sanitiser on benches near by. Marshalls will guide the wreath-layers up the steps and down the other side of the Memorial to avoid contact with each other."

The short service on Wednesday, November 11 will again feature RBLS standard bearers, drum major Mike Munro and pipe major Barry Ashby.

Reverend Donald Prentice will lead both services.

Ms Sobey finished: "Folk can place crosses in the garden of Remembrance by the War Memorial as usual. Next year we hope to be back to normal."



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