General. In order to hold our annual memorial service while complying with the current Covid-19 restrictions and mindful of participants’ safety, it is intended to conduct this years’ service virtually online. To facilitate this the Zoom interactive conferencing system will be used and, for technical reasons, the service will be conducted remotely from Doncaster Minster with the kind permission of the Vicar of Doncaster. After the service there will be an opportunity for those who wish to stay on to chat online over a virtual lunch which they will have prepared for themselves.
Sequence of Events. Virtual attendees will be asked to log on prior to the planned start of the service which will be conducted by Revd Andrew Martlew supported by an organist and a bugler. Two readers will be invited from those attending to read the lessons online. On conclusion of the service the invited guests and those not attending the virtual lunch may leave the service.
A 30-minute pause will be announced to allow preparation of individual lunches during which the Zoom channel will remain open. Lt Col (Retd) Graham Whitmore, Chairman, will then explain the way in which the event will proceed. In brief, there will be a period for drinks and canapes/hors d’oeuvres followed by a welcome, an update from The Rifles and the Regimental Toast. Depending on numbers attending participants will then be moved to their virtual tables for lunch, which will allow them to chat to each other more easily. It is proposed that lunch consists of a simple main course and a dessert or cheese.
Timings. The key timings (all BST) are:
1045 Attendees log onto the event
1055 Invited guests log on
1100 Service starts
1130 (approximately) Service ends followed by a 30-minute pause to prepare individual lunches
1200 (approximately) Pre-lunch drinks and canapes/ hors d’oeuvres
Followed by:
Welcome, Rifles Update and Regimental Toast
1220 (approximately) Move to virtual tables and lunch (two courses – main and dessert/cheese)
1430 Event ends
Zoom Link. The link to the event and instructions regarding the use of the system will be sent to all attendees by 26th Sep to the email address used in replies unless stated otherwise. In order to use Zoom a device will need a webcam and an internal microphone and speaker. Orders of Service will also be issued at the same time.
Attendance. To ensure that we can plan the event it would be most appreciated if addressees could inform the Rifles Regional Office of their intentions to attend by not later than 18th Sep.
1. The virtual service.
2. The virtual lunch.
Questions. Any questions or comments regarding this event should be directed to the Rifles Regional Office.
Register online here