They thought it might not happen because of the second COVID-19 lockdown, but wreaths were laid in honour of the fallen at Ripon’s War Memorial this morning.
The Ripon branch of the Royal British Legion and standard bearers representing the Royal Navy, Royal Engineers and Royal Air Force, were present for the two minutes silence at Spa Gardens.
Also present to respect the dead of two World Wars and other conflicts, was Ripon’s MP Julian Smith.
Earlier this morning, the Mayor of Ripon, Councillor Eamon Parkin, was a lone figure at the memorial, as he lay a wreath on behalf of Ripon City Council and the citizens of Ripon.
He told the Stray Ferret:
“Because of the coronavirus crisis and the need to adhere to strict social distancing requirements, it has not been possible for the council to hold its normal Remembrance Sunday service at the cathedral.”
The Mayor of Ripon Councillor Eamon Parkin, laid a wreath on behalf of Ripon City Council, two hours before the Royal British Legion ceremony
Cllr Parkin, added:
“With the lockdown rules in place to protect the safety of everybody, I would urge people who wish to pay their respects in Spa Gardens, to do so on an individual basis.”
Read more:
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Shortly before 11am, as the music of a lone piper echoed in the mist of a November morning, former service men and women wearing campaign medals, gathered at safe social distance along with current service personnel, Army and Air Cadets and representatives of North Yorkshire Police.
The Dean of Ripon, the Very Revd. John Dobson said a greeting and led prayers, before the wreaths were laid in front of the memorial dedicated to the hundreds of people from Ripon named in alphabetical order from Akers to Young, who gave their lives in the 1914-1918 conflict.
Prayers were said for those of all nationalities who died in the First and Second World Wars and subsequent conflicts and the overall wish expressed by Dean John, was for lasting peace.
