Folkestone Remembrance Events 2020

Following a recent meeting with the Mayor, Veterans Associations and Cadet groups I wanted to update you with regard to what has been agreed for the remainder of Remembrance events in Folkestone during 2020.

The decisions made have not been undertaken lightly and as a Town Council we have had to consider the following:

1. Insurers position / liability / duty of care to public, parade (Veterans, Military, Cadets, emergency services) volunteers, Cllrs & employees.
2. Uncertainty and possibility of spikes, possibility of them being attributed to large gatherings
3. Issues with events that have always been open to the public and public expectations, i.e. traditionally thousands would expect to be in attendance at the local Remembrance Sunday service even without any promotion.
4. Any applications for Road Closures must be submitted at least 12 weeks in advance and accompanied by full event management plans (no flexibility on timings even in current situation).

Therefore the following has been decided:

Battle of Britain Day Wreath Laying Service - 15^th September 2020
The annual event, normally organised by FTC, will not be taking place and the Town Mayor and her family will simply lay a wreath at the Battle of Britain Memorial on The Leas at some point during the day (without ceremony).

Dedication of Garden of Remembrance

The normal annual service will not take place, however the following arrangements will be made:

• Regimental crosses to be in place in the Garden of Remembrance for the duration of November
• Town Mayor and family to place out poppy crosses at some point during November
• Public to be encouraged to place out poppy crosses via social media etc.
• The RBL situation re: poppies has not yet been confirmed however it is likely to be poppy tins and poppies being located on Supermarket checkouts with no collectors present.
• Folkestone Museum to provide an online crafting activity on how to make poppy crosses.

Remembrance Sunday - 8^th November

The normal annual service will not take place and the Mayor and her family will lay wreaths at some point during the day (without ceremony) at the following memorials:

• Town's War Memorial - top of Road of Remembrance
• Step Short Arch on The Leas
• RAF Memorial on The Leas
• Gurkha Memorial in Garden of Remembrance
• Shorncliffe Garrison tbc.

Other organisations are encouraged to lay their own wreaths at the Town's War Memorial at the top of the Road of Remembrance at some point during the day. Please note there will be no road closures in place and the War Memorial is positioned on a roundabout, so care must be taken regarding oncoming traffic.

Machine Gun Corps Service at the Memorial in Cheriton Road Cemetery - 11^th November

This service will take place as it lends itself to being able to restrict access to invited guests only and ensure social distancing measures are in place. We have agreed with RBL (who normally lead on this service) to co-ordinate this event, monitoring Government guidelines, adjusting measures as appropriate. Further information will be available nearer to this date.

We do realise that this information will come as a disappointment to many, but hopefully the above arrangements will allow us all to remember those that have given their lives during conflict, whilst not encouraging any large gatherings at this time.