'Remember from home': Council leader urges Northampton not to gather this Remembrance Sunday

The leader of Northampton Borough Council has urged residents not to break lockdown guidance this Remembrance Sunday.

One of the countless countrywide events that will be called off in November because of the four-week coronavirus lockdown will be Remembrance Day.

But at a weekly Covid-19 press conference on Friday (October 30), Councillor Jonathan Nunn asked residents to remember that November 11 was just another important date "stolen" by the virus and urged them not to gather in crowds on the day.

Councillor Nunn told the conference: "With Remembrance coming up too, our theme for this year is we have to remember from home.

"We will not be holding any of the civic events that we normally hold, and if there's one event in our town each year which is a really serious, important thing for us to recognise it's Remembrance.

"This year we are not asking crowds to come, in fact we are asking them to stay away.

"We will not be performing wreath laying in the town centre. That's an awful thing to have to say to all those who have lost someone - whether it's grandfathers or fathers or sons - in the military. But that's the way it has to be."

Councillor Nunn regretfully said the same would have to be done for Northampton's Christmas lights switch on, as well as the annual Diwali Celebrations which he said had become "one of biggest events in the town every year".

It is understood the borough council will livestream a remembrance ceremony in the town for people to watch from home.