Mansfield’s war dead honoured in low key Remembrance Day service amid Covid 19 restrictions

The town’s annual Remembrance Day service was held on Sunday, November 8, at the Civic Centre war memorial in Mansfield.

The location of the traditional service had not been disclosed to encourage people to mark the day at home to protect themselves and others from COVID-19.

The event was attended by VIPs, council members and Royal British Legion and forces representatives. The public was able to tune in and watch the 30-minute service beamed live via Mansfield District Council's Facebook page. Due to the virus restrictions and in line with Royal British Legion guidance, Mansfield's Remembrance Day parade did not go ahead.

The Chairman of Mansfield’s Royal British Legion branch, Rev Canon Paul Bentley who carried out the service, said “It was smaller than usual due to the coronavirus restrictions, but it all went very well and the public was able to watch the service online whilst staying safe from the virus.”

Among those attending the ceremony was Mansfield’s Executive Mayor Andy Abrahams, Mansfield District Council CEO Hayley Barsby, Armed Forces champion Councillor John Smart, MP Ben Bradley, Reverend Canon Paul Bentley, Nottingham’s Deputy Lord Lieutenant Colonel Roger Merryweather, Royal British Legion Mansfield branch president Nigel Richardson. The Royal British Legion standard bearers were Keith Kenworthy and Dale Smith, the bugler was Terry Brown and the piper was Stuart Gullen. Wreaths were also laid by representatives of other forces such as Mansfield’s police and Royal Air Force Association.

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