Like other events and dates throughout this year, Remembrance in Caerlaverock is going to be a little bit different.

Hazel Kerr at D&G Council has sent us guidance from the Scottish Government and The Royal British Legion Scotland, which states that “There should be no Remembrance Day events being held at War Memorials this year, and that organisations should look to remember in a different way on the day.” (Full text is linked at the foot.) We’ve also been advised that there will not be a service at Caerlaverock Kirk this year.

In light of this, there are some plans of what we can do as Caerlaverock Community Association, but you can also get involved individually too.

We are organising the following. Please bear in mind there should be no group gatherings at these times.

Sunday 8th November (Remembrance Sunday)

10.50am at the War Memorial: It is proposed that one child/family from Caerlaverock Primary School will lay a wreath.

11.00am Stephen Powell will lay a wreath from Caerlaverock Community Association.

11.10am It is also proposed that representatives from D&G Council will lay a wreath.

on Sunday 8th November as well as Wednesday 11th November at 11am (both days) it is suggested that members of the community observe a 2 minute silence at their doors.

We should have Reverend Douglas Irving’s Youtube Service to publish on Sunday morning, which will be linked from the www.caerlaverock.church website and the www.caerlaverock.org.uk Community website.

In the evening, at sunset, the beacon on the end of Glencaple Quay will be lit. This will remain lit throughout the night until the gas bottle runs out. After it has been lit, feel free to visit it yourself or with your family.

CCA Chair David Gilbert will provide a reading of a poem and there will be a reading of the names of the fallen on the War Memorial.

We will take videos, photos and sound files, and create a video of all submitted material which will be published on the Community website and Facebook page. We’ll also send photos to Hazel Kerr at D&G Council for their Community Bulletin.

How can you get involved?

Some suggestions:

  • Paint or draw poppies or other artwork and put it in your window. Rona Carson at Kelton Bank will have two large canvases in their window, which she will share with us to publish online soon.
  • You could paint poppies on pebbles – take and share photos of them. You could lay them at the Church, War Memorial, or at the Beacon.
  • You could sing or play something appropriate.
  • Your own poems would also be welcome, or reading suitable existing ones.
  • If you have any of your own ideas, you could share them on Facebook for others.

Our email, to send your photos, if you’d be happy for us to share them: caerlaverockcommunity@gmail.com 

 

Email from Hazel Kerr below, re restrictions at this time. Thank you Hazel:

Good evening,

It is with great sadness that I forward you the most up to date guidance from the Scottish Government and The Royal British Legion Scotland in relation to Remembrance Sunday, 8 November 2020 that will come into effect on 2 November 2020.

As you will be aware our local authority will also move into Tier 2 on the same date lasting for a period of at least 7 days and will therefore include Remembrance Day on Sunday, 8 November 2020.

The guidance advises all those local authority areas moving into Tier 2 that there should be no Remembrance Day events being held at War Memorials this year, and that organisations should look to remember in a different way on the day.   

Therefore, following a discussion with the Royal British Legion Scotland we have agreed by way of this email to approach all towns and villages across Dumfries and Galloway to ask communities to come together differently this year and to stand at your door on Sunday, 8 November 2020 and Wednesday, 11 November 2020 at 11am for a 2 Minute Silence.

In addition, Royal British Legion Scotland have suggested that where possible on Remembrance Sunday, a Bugler could be asked to play the Last Post from a prominent position in your town or village at 11 am.  No formal Wreath Laying Ceremonies should be held with all those wishing to lay a Wreath being asked to do so individually on the day.

You will note that Churches are being allowed to hold an indoor Service subject to compliance with the relevant guidance which includes no more than 50 people being in attendance and social distancing rules being observed.

We would be grateful for your support in cascading this message wider and across your local communities.

Kind regards,

Hazel Kerr

Community and Democratic Services Officer

Communities Directorate

Municipal Chambers, Buccleuch Street,

Dumfries DG1 2AD