Opportunities to honour the fallen

In addition, the 100th anniversary of the unveiling of Tweedmouth War Memorial takes place this Saturday and a time window has been arranged for people who wish to place flowers at the structure. If they are unable to do so then but still wish to place flowers at another time or day, they are asked to do so observing social distancing.

For those who would normally attend their local service of commemoration, Berwick-upon-Tweed Town Council is suggesting that they gather in their garden or at their front door to observe the two-minute silence.

Residents are also being invited to show a poppy emblem in their window and to make online donations to the Royal British Legion.

The challenges of managing social distancing and ensuring everyone who wishes to can pay their respects have been described as “difficult but not insurmountable” by the Mayor, Coun Anne Forbes.

Councillors have been briefed on arrangements that have been discussed with the Royal British Legion and other voluntary groups traditionally associated with Remembrance activities.

The council has identified as its priorities enabling wreath laying, the holding of a traditional service at each war memorial in the town and enabling local people to show their respects.

Organisations will be invited to book slots to lay wreaths at the war memorials in Spittal, Tweedmouth and Castlegate, so that there are never more than six people at a war memorial as a wreath is laid.

The War Memorial at the West End of Tweedmouth was unveiled on October 24, 1920 following a big fund-raising effort.

Local resident Dale Hall has what is believed to be the only remaining order of service from that day.

He said: “The order of service survived with various other documentation relating to my great great grandad Corporal Ralph Hall, who was one of the original names on the memorial.

“Unfortunately, due to the current pandemic the original plans have had to be scaled back, but I'm extremely pleased that this important anniversary will not go unmarked.”

The order of service was printed by Martins the Printers, a business that survives to this day, and managing director Chris Hardie has agreed to provide new copies for the anniversary service.

Dale enlisted the help of local county councillor Georgina Hill to ensure that something suitable was put in place while adhering to current Covid-19 guidance.

Coun Hill said: “Regrettably, in the current climate we are not able to mark the anniversary in the way we would have liked.

“However, there will be a short, socially-distanced service held at the precise time that the original service took place 100 years ago.

“There are very evocative images from the time of the War Memorial being covered in flowers and we ask if residents would like to pay their own tributes that they place flowers at the memorial between noon and 2pm on Saturday, or at any other time that they can do so while observing social distancing.”

As for the Remembrance Sunday commemorations in the Berwick area, a traditional ceremony will be held at each memorial – which will be recorded and provided via the town council’s website.