Dawlish's Remembrance Sunday parade, public act of remembrance and service at St Gregory's Church have been called off because of Covid-19, in what the town council has described as a 'difficult decision'.

The council said the events on Sunday, November 8 would have attracted large numbers of people, and the current Covid-19 social distancing requirements mean they will not be possible.

But there will be an invitation-only Remembrance Sunday service at the Memorial Garden, with representatives from the clergy, the Royal British Legion and Dawlish Town Council.

Organisations wishing to lay wreaths are invited to do so between 8.30am and 10am on Sunday, November 8, and a member of the town council's staff will take the names of the wreath-layers so that they can be read out during the service.

The service will be broadcast on Facebook later in the day, and copies will be available on the town council's website.

A separate recording of messages from Churches Together in Dawlish and District from the Poppy Wall will also be broadcast on Sunday, November 8.

Dawlish's new Poppy Wall

So that the wider community can pay tribute, a poppy wall will be created on the outside of the railings at the far end of the Bowling Green behind the bandstand, from Sunday, November 1 until Saturday 14.

People can attach a knitted poppy to the railings, which stretch for long enough to accommodate social distancing. Some shops in the town will be selling knitted poppies in aid of Dawlish's Royal British Legion branch, and the mayor of Dawlish, Councillor Alison Foden, is encouraging local knitters to make a poppy or two for the wall.

Knitting patterns can be collected from the Manor House reception, or found online.

Two-minute silence

At 11am on Wednesday, November 11, there will be a two-minute silence at the bandstand. A starting pistol fired by a member of the Royal British Legion from the bandstand will signal the beginning and end of the silence.

In a statement, the town council said: "We appreciate that this is a difficult time and thank everyone for their support.

"We hope that people understand why these measures have been put in place and hope that many people will contribute to the Dawlish Poppy Wall."