In the past few weeks Kenilworth Town Council in close partnership with the Kenilworth branch of the Royal British Legion and the clergy at St Nicholas Church have done a huge amount of work to try to organise a COVID-safe Annual Service of Remembrance at Kenilworth's war memorial.

Many iterations of the plan had been produced including, most recently, a small wreath-laying event to be live-streamed online.

However, it is with great regret that due to the current COVID-19 situation this week, the Town Council, in consultation today with partner organisations, local councils and the police, have taken the decision to cancel the war memorial wreath-laying service of Remembrance this year.

The Mayor of Kenilworth Cllr Richard Dickson and Cllr George Illingworth, Chairman of the Royal British Legion Branch, will still ensure that the wreaths are laid at the War Memorial.

Instead of a formal event at the war memorial this year the Council encourages people to take part in the two-minute silence at 11:00am on Sunday 8 November from the safety of their home doorstep.

In this way it will still be possible for residents to remember all those people whose lives have been taken in war and violent conflict and those who work to build and sustain peace.

Announcing this change in plan, Cllr Richard Dickson, Mayor of Kenilworth, said "obviously it's very sad to have to cancel the event at the war memorial which is one of the town's best-attended community events.

"However, given the COVID-19 situation and the very recent cancellation of similar events in Leamington and Warwick, the very clear advice has been that we must also cancel our event in Kenilworth.

"I know people in Kenilworth will still observe two minutes' silence on their doorsteps and I thank the local Royal British Legion for all their efforts to try to make this event possible.

Cllr George Illingworth, Chairman of the Kenilworth Branch of the Royal British Legion added; "Remembrance Sunday has always been a big event in Kenilworth attracting large crowds and demonstrating the profound recognition by the residents of the sacrifices made by the Armed Forces over the years.

"It was obvious that a similar event was out of the question this year and the Legion worked with the Town Council and St Nicholas Parish Church to plan a suitably modified one.

"However in view of the current Covid situation it would be quite wrong for us to go ahead as the only local event which could attract people.

"The organisations in Kenilworth have been as generous as ever in providing wreaths to pay tribute to the dead and we will ensure that they are all laid on the War Memorial.

"Next year sees the Centenary of the formation of the British Legion and Kenilworth Branch was a founder member. Let us hope that we are able to commemorate in the usual way next November."

For those who wish to donate to the Kenilworth Poppy Appeal – please visit their JustGiving page by following this link.