The pandemic caused us to mark VE and VJ Days virtually and now eight months in to the restrictions on social distancing, to reflect national and local guidance, we have been required to mark Rye Remembrance 2020 in a virtual way – though we had hoped to mount the usual public ceremony both in St Mary’s Rye and around the town memorial as in previous years.
This year would have been another milestone as it marks the 100th anniversary of the unveiling of the Cenotaph in Whitehall, London, the national focus for Remembrance. Our video has been compiled in Rye to mark Remembrance 2020 – a year most of us will never forget.
Although our thoughts at this time are with the fallen of the world wars, and in all the campaigns since, this year, with so many suffering and dying from Covid-19, we all have wider reasons to remember those who are no longer with us.
Therefore in these troubled times, on behalf of all those grieving or affected by conflict and strife, we say “We Will Remember Them”
Image Credits: Richard Farhall .
Can I pass on my congratulations to the Mayor and the town sergeant on their immaculate turn out on what is a time when we remember our war dead.
I would also suggest that the Deputy Mayor spends five minutes in front of the mirror before an official photo.
Yes, completely agree. It also looks a little like he’s just out walking the dog… But at least he’s there, in a suit, with his shoes polished and wearing a poppy.
(To provide some mitigation for the Deputy Mayor, the photographer could probably have advised that his subject wasn’t quite ready for his photo op. If you work in the media, it’s your role to guide those you’re photographing or filming. You can see what perhaps they can’t.)
Seeing the comments above – to be fair to the Deputy Mayor, he wasn’t expecting to be in the photograph but was asked to step into the picture just before the shot was taken.
The Deputy Mayor is usually very well turned out. He has always shown the greatest respect for everyone. I have served with him since 2015 on Rye Town Council and have seen his outstanding commitment to his duties as a Councillor and our Town. Were he expecting to participate in this photo, I would suggest he would be wearing his official robe. As always, he has responded respectfully to a request to support the good people of Rye.
Fair comments and probably a bit unfair of me but how many times do you see a lack of effort made by people.
My apologies Andy.
Cllr Rivett was present as Consort to the Mayor – not in his (other) capacity of Deputy Mayor. The Mayor was present – so it would not have been appropriate for the Deputy Mayor to have attended robed. He was wearing the Consort/Escort’s Badge.
I totally agree Cllr Creaser! I was looking at the Royal Legion website the other day to make a donation and there was a comment titled – Is There A Correct Way To Wear A Poppy? ‘There is no correct way to wear a Poppy. It is a matter of personal choice whether someone chooses to wear a Poppy and how they choose to wear it. The best way to wear a Poppy is simply with Pride!’ This I feel the Deputy Mayor was doing representing the town as he always does and with respect too!
Just wanted to say a big thank you to those who made the virtual Remembrance possible it was very moving.