Small and poignant Remembrance Sunday services held in Mid Sussex

In previous years, the district has marked Remembrance Sunday with parades and services across the district. Representatives of the armed forces and local organisations are normally joined by thousands of members of the public wishing to pay their respects. But this year, sadly only small services could take place due to the new lockdown restrictions. Mid Sussex MP Mims Davies joined small groups of war veterans and councillors to honour the fallen over the weekend. Writing on Facebook, she said she was ‘immensely honoured’ to be part of a reduced service in Haywards Heath on Sunday. She said: “It was very different to other years due to covid, but it was vital the act of remembrance was marked. It was good to see some of the local veterans and Royal British Legion after the service.” Ms Davies also joined councillor Robert Salisbury in Cuckfield on Saturday to lay wreaths at Holy Trinity Church. She said: “An act of rememberance is crucial as we think of all families over these years across the Mid Sussex villages and towns who have lost loved ones. We thank those who have served for us, many who never returned and those who returned from their service and are never the same. We thank you for your bravery and your great sacrifices, so we can have our peace and security.” The MP also sent a wreath to St Andrew’s Church in Burgess Hill. She added: “I know many marked this at home with their families safely together because of the current lockdown. I am grateful once again to the community for your understanding and forbearance. We do hope that next year we can again come together fully to honour and thank all those who have done so much for our safety and security and continue to serve today.” A small remembrance service was also held at the village green in Balcombe on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Haywards Heath Air Cadets marked the occasion socially distanced. A spokesman said: “Today is Remembrance Sunday. At 172 we mark this day each year and could not let 2020 go by without remembering those who have lost their lives in service to our country. 2020 was the year of the 75th anniversary of VE and the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, two significant milestones. We held a covid-secure remembrance service. We adapted to the current challenges and although it was smaller in scale than our normal parades, it was still just as poignant. Thanks to our veterans from the Haywards Heath RAFA for turning out on such a wet day to record this.”