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Remembrance services across Caerphilly County Borough will look a lot different this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

In previous years, services have been held in nearly every town and village in the borough to commemorate Remembrance Sunday.

This year however, Remembrance Sunday falls on November 8 – the day before Wales’ 17-day firebreak lockdown comes to an end.

As a result, indoor services will not be permitted, while outdoor services will be restricted to a maximum of 30 people, including organisers.

James Kerby, secretary of the Bargoed and District branch of the Royal British Legion, confirmed there would be no formal service in Bargoed for Remembrance Sunday, but said residents will be able to visit the war memorial in the town on the day to lay a wreath and pay their respects.
This will be the case throughout the borough.

However, coronavirus restrictions have hit the Legion’s fundraising efforts.
Mr Kerby said: “The Royal British Legion is poised to suffer the greatest loss that could ever be in a year’s fundraising.

“Our branch raised nearly £16,000 last year, but we’ll raise less than £1,000 this year.”

Mr Kerby added: “We’d normally put out around 60 to 70 collection tins at pubs, cafes and restaurants, but we can’t do that this year.”

Volunteers are unable to collect donations face-to-face due to the ongoing situation, but to protect its fundraising efforts, the Legion will be taking donations for poppies by post, and is encouraging people to display a poppy in their window, donate online or take part in a virtual poppy run.

A two-minute silence will be held at 11am on Sunday, November 8. The Legion is encouraging people to take part in the silence from their own doorsteps.

Meanwhile, Caerphilly County Borough Council’s cabinet has approved a report recommending the council appoints the Legion as honorary freeman of the borough to commemorate the organisation’s 100-year anniversary in May 2021.

For more information on how to support the Poppy Appeal this year, visit Obv.sr/poppy

To buy a Remembrance wreath, contact your local Royal British Legion branch or Poppy Appeal organiser.