Remembrance services looked very different this year due to the global pandemic. The usual services were cancelled; however, it was still extremely important the occasion was marked in Ross-on-Wye.

Members of the branch and the St Mary’s Clergy spent the week leading up to Sunday and the lockdown, which came into force on the Thursday, recording segments to be shown on a part live/part pre-recorded service which was aired online on Remembrance Sunday.

On November 5, a service was conducted at the memorials for the Chelsea Pensioners, and Falklands and Korean War veterans. A service also took place at the Prospect War Memorial where wreaths were laid by Graham Aplin, Branch Chairman, for the Royal British Legion, Mary Sinclair-Powell for the Royal British Legion Women’s Section and County Colonel of the Rifles Andy Taylor, who laid a wreath on behalf of the Rifles.

On November 7 a Remembrance service took place at St Michael and All Angels Church in Brampton Abbotts. The service was conducted by Revd Sean Semple and Miss Tiffany Jackson, Curate. The names of those from the village who lost their lives during the First World War were read out and a two-minute silence was observed. A wreath was laid at the grave of Private W E Kitchener by Rosemary Knapp, Church Warden, on behalf of the Parish Council.

A short Remembrance Service took place at the Prospect War Memorial on Sunday November 8, where wreaths were laid by Graham Aplin, Chairman, Mayor Cllr Daniel Lister, and Major Patrick Darling representing the County Lord Lieutenant who represents Her Majesty the Queen.

The various Remembrance services are available to view online either via The Ross & District Branch of the Royal British Legion, St Mary’s Church or Ross-on-Line Facebook pages.

Graham Aplin, Branch Chairman, said: “This year’s Remembrance plans have been changed so many time’s due to imposed restrictions. My sincere thanks go to all who have offered

help and support with the necessary changes that we have encountered. Our local branch of The Royal British legion has done all that we could, given the constraints that we have had placed upon us. We look forward to returning in 2021 which will also be the centenary year for The Royal British Legions formation.”