University to mark Armistice Day with virtual services

Tue 10 November, 2020

The University of Bedfordshire is inviting staff, students and the community to observe a two-minute silence as part of its Remembrance Day services this year.

Traditionally, a two minute silence is observed at 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month to commemorate the end of World War I in 1918. This anniversary is now used to remember all the people who have died in wars since WW1.

Taking place on Wednesday 11^th November from 10:50am, the University’s tributes in Luton and Bedford can be viewed remotely via Facebook and YouTube, to comply with lockdown and Covid safety guidance.

Bedfordshire's 'Unknown Soldier' As part of the Luton campus commemorations, Vice Chancellor, Professor Rebecca Bunting, and Beds SU President, Michael Alawaye, will lay wreaths in honour of Bedfordshire’s 'Unknown Soldier', Sergeant Edward Norton – a Luton resident, who died in France in 1918 but whose body remains unidentified, after the Ministry of Defence failed to locate a living relative to confirm DNA.

The traditional Poppy Day service will be led by the University’s Luton chaplain, Reverend Andrew Goodman, alongside Ramnik Gohill, Trustee and Ambassador for Luton Mandir. The live-streamed service will also include a message from the High Sheriff of Bedfordshire, Mrs Susan Lusada.

The services will be available to watch on the Facebook page of the University’s Tree House and on the Chaplaincy’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/UoBChaplaincy/live

The community is also being invited to share their Remembrance Day photos, comments, memories and prayers on the Tree House Padlet:

Meanwhile, over at the Bedford campus, the Community and Faith team has prepared their own short Remembrance video, focusing on the efforts of the Bedfordshire regiment in WW1 and drawing on the diaries of two soldiers. It includes a poem and prayers for Armistice Day and a break for the two-minute silence. The video will be available to view on the SeedBeds Facebook page: www.facebook.com/groups/SeedBeds

On Remembrance Sunday (8^th November 2020), the University’s Bedford campus Chaplain, Reverend Cass Howes, led a short act of remembrance for locals at the war memorial on the Embankment in Bedford town centre. The service was closed to the public for Covid safety reasons but was streamed live by the Bedford Independent and on Bedford Hospital Radio.

A short Remembrance Sunday service in Luton was also live-streamed on 8^th November by Luton Council and the service was aired on the University’s in-house community radio station, Radio LaB.