Sandwell Remembers

Sandwell Remembers

This November the people of Sandwell – from all faiths, cultures and backgrounds – will once again unite to honour and remember the service and sacrifice of those who defended our freedoms and way of life.

Remembrance events in Sandwell:

Armistice Day, Civic Square, Oldbury

Two-minute silence organised by Oldbury Royal British Legion, at 11am on Thursday, 11 November. Photographs of the event will be shared online after it has taken place.

Remembrance Sunday

Two-minute silence at Oldbury War Memorial will be livestreamed on the council’s Facebook account (www.facebook.com/sandwellcouncil) at 11am on Sunday, 14 November.

The Festival of Remembrance

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Festival of Remembrance will be virtual and shared on social media platforms from 1pm on Sunday, 14 November.

Parades in Sandwell

Parades will take place on Sunday, 14 November – organised by the Royal British Legion or local community groups, and supported by the Sandwell Council – at the following locations:

• Oldbury Civic Square, Halesowen Street.

• Rowley Regis, Powke Lane Crematorium.

• Smethwick Council House, High Street.

• Tipton, Victoria Park, Victoria Road.

• Wednesbury War Memorial, Walsall Street.

• West Bromwich, Dartmouth Park, Lloyd Street.

The Worshipful The Mayor of Sandwell, Councillor Mushtaq Hussain, said: “Although I am unable to attend the public Remembrance Sunday parades due to a surgical procedure, I – like many others across the country – will be remembering and honouring those who gave their lives for our freedom.”

For more information about Remembrance activities in Sandwell and how to access them, visit www.sandwell.gov.uk/remembrance

Sandwell Council encourages residents to follow the latest COVID-19 guidelines www.gov.uk/coronavirus

The Royal British Legion has suggested a range of COVID-19-safe Remembrance activities, that can be created at home:

• Hold a small Remembrance service in your garden.

• Create a Remembrance space in your garden by planting plants that have a connection to Remembrance.

• Use Zoom, Facebook or another online meeting resource to host an online Remembrance service or activity.

• Set up a community Remembrance forum to discuss different residents’ Remembrance stories.

• Create an online exhibition of Remembrance-related photos from local residents that schools or others could use to discuss local Remembrance activities.

• Open an online book of Remembrance that family, friends and others can sign as a mark of Remembrance.

• Write letters of Remembrance to veterans or serving personnel.