Report: Katie Street

A Burscough church didn't let Covid-19 get in the way of commemorating Remembrance Day yesterday...

There's a saying in the military; ‘Improvise, Adapt and Overcome’ and that’s exactly what St. John the Baptist, Burscough, did!

Passionate to ensure the annual service could go ahead, ex-serviceman Rev Canon David Banbury planned a Covid-secure drive-in service last night on Tesco's carpark - and it was a huge success.

It included a bugler playing the last post, prayers from Fr. Leo Daley of St. John the Evangelist RC Church in Burscough and Dave Nixon from the Royal British Legion laying a wreath.

Thanks to an army of volunteers and marshals from the church, the event was carried out with military precision and as all participants remained in their cars throughout, it was entirely Covid-safe.

Canon Banbury told QLocal this evening: “It was an amazing evening, and it was extremely moving to remember the fallen and also to pray for key workers in the battle against coronavirus.”

It is thought to have been the only one of its kind in the UK this year and Tesco was thrilled to have offered their carpark for the event.

Lorraine Mortimer, the store's service manager commented: “Tesco was pleased to help with the event and did its upmost to support the drive-in Remembrance service and the local community."

And looking forward to Christmas, St John's aren't letting anything get in the way of celebrating this year, planning a series of drive-in ‘Carpool Karaoke Christmas’ services and other Covid-safe community events throughout December to keep the magic of Christmas alive in Burscough and beyond.