This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-54222321
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Battle of Britain: Westminster Abbey service to mark 80th anniversary | Battle of Britain: Westminster Abbey service to mark 80th anniversary |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Westminster Abbey is to hold a memorial service later to mark 80 years since the Battle of Britain, in the venue's first major event since lockdown. | Westminster Abbey is to hold a memorial service later to mark 80 years since the Battle of Britain, in the venue's first major event since lockdown. |
| The battle, fought entirely in the air, was a dramatic turning point in World War Two. | The battle, fought entirely in the air, was a dramatic turning point in World War Two. |
| The abbey has held a service of thanksgiving on Battle of Britain Sunday every year since 1944. | The abbey has held a service of thanksgiving on Battle of Britain Sunday every year since 1944. |
| The year's event will see attendance significantly reduced and social distancing in place. | The year's event will see attendance significantly reduced and social distancing in place. |
| Around 100 guests have been invited for the service, which usually attracts around 2,000 people. | Around 100 guests have been invited for the service, which usually attracts around 2,000 people. |
| A statement from the organisers said the service at 11:00 BST on Sunday would be "reduced in stature but not in spirit". | A statement from the organisers said the service at 11:00 BST on Sunday would be "reduced in stature but not in spirit". |
| "The abbey is a very large church, it usually holds 2,200, so the guests will be easily spaced out to conform with social distancing," it said. | "The abbey is a very large church, it usually holds 2,200, so the guests will be easily spaced out to conform with social distancing," it said. |
| The last major service to take place at the venue was the Commonwealth Day service held on 9 March, two weeks before the UK went into lockdown in response to the coronavirus pandemic. | The last major service to take place at the venue was the Commonwealth Day service held on 9 March, two weeks before the UK went into lockdown in response to the coronavirus pandemic. |
| The service, which will remember the 1,497 pilots and aircrew who died, will be led by the Dean of Westminster Abbey, Dr David Hoyle. | |
| Although the battle took place between July and October in 1940, 15 September is Battle of Britain Day - the date of a decisive victory by the RAF. | Although the battle took place between July and October in 1940, 15 September is Battle of Britain Day - the date of a decisive victory by the RAF. |
| The RAF defended the skies over southern England, as Hitler's Luftwaffe flew daily attacks ahead of a planned invasion. | The RAF defended the skies over southern England, as Hitler's Luftwaffe flew daily attacks ahead of a planned invasion. |
| Some 1,120 Luftwaffe aircraft were sent to attack London, but were repelled by 630 RAF fighters - and two days later Hitler postponed his plans to invade Britain. | Some 1,120 Luftwaffe aircraft were sent to attack London, but were repelled by 630 RAF fighters - and two days later Hitler postponed his plans to invade Britain. |
| Commemorations have been limited this year due to coronavirus restrictions, but a variety of tributes took place across the UK, including special exhibitions from the Imperial War Museum. | Commemorations have been limited this year due to coronavirus restrictions, but a variety of tributes took place across the UK, including special exhibitions from the Imperial War Museum. |