The new national lockdown means the usual Remembrance Sunday events that would take place in Lowton & Golborne aren’t able to go ahead in the same way this year.
To avoid large gatherings, no parades or outside services are being organised. Instead, local elected members will be supported in arranging for wreaths to be laid at local cenotaphs.
There are other ways you can mark Remembrance this year
Just as many of us displayed rainbows in our windows during the first lockdown earlier in the year, we are being encouraged to display poppies in our windows for Remembrance. Lots of local schools will also be joining in. You can download a poppy poster from the Royal British Legion website, in return for a donation.
You can still pay your respects at the local cenotaphs – but you are asked not to go at 11am on Sunday, so that visits can be staggered and numbers of people present will be reduced. At each cenotaph managed by the council, poppy signs will be installed to help residents with social distancing and there will be marshals in the areas during busy periods.
Golborne’s Cenotaph will also be lit up on the evening of Monday, 9 November from 7-9pm.
Poppies have been put up on the railings near the Cenotaph in Golborne.
We can still pay our respects – but from home
Leader of Wigan Council, Councillor David Molyneux, said: “It is of course a shame that we are having to make alternative arrangements for something so important to our borough, but we are living through unprecedented times.
“Our priority, as it has been throughout the pandemic, is keeping our residents safe and following the public health guidelines.
“We have seen through our VE and VJ Day events that the borough can still come together to mark such occasions with the respect they deserve but in slightly different ways than usual. We will do so again on Remembrance Sunday.”