People across Harborough urged to mark Remembrance Sunday by holding a minute’s silence on their doorsteps

People across Harborough are being urged to mark Remembrance Sunday this weekend by holding a minute’s silence on their doorsteps.

The heartfelt plea is being made by Stewart Harrison, chairman of the Market Harborough branch of the Royal British Legion (RBL), as a new Covid-19 lockdown is about to be enforced.

Stewart, 73, said: “It’s very sad and very unfortunate that we cannot stage our usual annual Remembrance Sunday church service, parade and ceremony at the War Memorial in the town centre this year.

“It’s the most poignant, powerful and emotion-charged civic event on our calendar in this country.

“But we have no choice this year but to obey the Government rules and follow the severe coronavirus restrictions to save lives and keep us all safe.”

The RAF and Army veteran added: “There will be nothing happening publicly at our War Memorial on The Square on Sunday so I would ask everybody to please stay away.

“The best way to show our respect and to salute our glorious fallen from the two world wars as well as other costly conflicts is to observe a minute’s silence on our doorsteps at 11am on Sunday (November 8).”

Stewart, of Naseby Square, Market Harborough, said they have so far generated an impressive £3,500 for the RBL’s Poppy Appeal despite being forced to dramatically slim down fundraising by the pandemic.

“We have been running a special poppy stall at our Indoor Market – and it’s proved a massive success.

“Our volunteers have as always done a brilliant job supporting the RBL,” he said.

“And the people of Market Harborough and our area have been magnificent – so generous and so supportive.

“We are thrilled to have raised so much money to help look after military veterans and their families in such a tough extraordinary year.

“We’d also like to say a special thank you to our heroes of the NHS.

“They are all doing an astonishing job in such challenging circumstances and times and we want to pay tribute to all of our incredible health service workers.”