EVERY year, the Wee County comes together to remember the fallen. Every year, communities join in a shared mourning and teach younger generations never to forget the sacrifice and the terrible loss of war.

And while the tradition was once again maintained across Clackmannanshire, this was, however, a year like no other.

Remembrance Sunday services were held virtually as people were encouraged to observe a two-minute silence from their doorstep in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

The traditional laying of the wreath at war memorials such as Alva, Sauchie, Dollar, Tillicoultry and Alloa, where crowds gather, could not go ahead as normal.

Community representatives and Wee County groups laid wreaths throughout the day at different times at memorials.

Elsewhere, pre-recorded services were shared online in a joint effort by Legion Scotland Clackmannanshire & District, churches and community organisations to allow people to pay their respects.

In Alva, a limited number of DVDs could be collected for those who did not have access to the community service there.

John Spruce, vice lord-lieutenant for Clacks, told the Advertiser that there were several hundred views for the video.

He said: "Reverend Jim McNeil from Alva Parish Church replicated a video and several groups supported it by sharing it on their pages.

"We've had a lot of good feedback from locals saying how nice it was but also that they have a permanent record of a Remembrance Day service for the first time which is a positive thing in all of this.

"People were still able to mark the occasion in some way."

A short Act of Remembrance was pre-recorded and went out on the community council Facebook page as well as the Facebook pages of Tillicoultry and the YouTube channels of the Baptist Church and the Parish Church on November 8, organised by the Rev Alison Britchfield.

Wreaths from the community council were laid at the Coalsnaughton and Tillicoultry War Memorials and the VC Garden.

The Sauchie community was thanked for their contributions with many laying poppies throughout Sunday.

Craig Miller, co-community Manager at Sauchie Community Group said: "Sauchie Community Group organises the Remembrance Sunday parade and ceremony every year.

"We were devastated that due to the on-going Covid-19 restrictions that we had to, for the first time, cancel the planned arrangements.

"Sauchie, like every other part of Clackmannanshire and the United Kingdom, fell silent for two minutes at 11am on Sunday. Many observed this silence by standing at their front door as a mark of respect.

"Credit must be given to Keith Turner for his quick thinking, planning and organisational skills that ensured that individuals and organisations could still safely show their respect by laying a poppy wreath during the day.

"Also, our thanks to the many people, who throughout the day, brought their poppy wreaths to the war memorial, ensuring that this important day was marked.

"For everyone in the community, remembering the sacrifice made by soldiers of former wars is important. This year, private reflection was necessary to ensure adherence to the current Covid restrictions, but planning has already started for next year, where we hope that we can gather together once again to pay our respect and share our appreciation for the fallen soldiers."

Menstrie United Free Church held an Act of Worship and Remembrance with the service conducted by Rev. Jason Lingiah.

He was joined by Session Clerk David Wyatt, Cllr Darren Lee and Graham Simpson, of Alloa Bowmar Pipe Band.

Rev. Lingiah also laid a wreath at the war memorial in Alloa, along with many others, including Linda Macleod, of Breathe Easy Clackmannanshire.

She added: "On this Remembrance Day, my daughter Mrs Lynsey Morrison who is also a Trustee of the group is laying a wreath on our behalf at Alloa War Memorial.

"We are honoured to do this on the year we were awarded the queen's award for voluntary service."

Clacks MSP Keith Brown, who went to the Dollar War Memorial to pay his respects, said: "Usually, on Remembrance Sunday, we all come together at ceremonies nationally and locally to pay tribute to and remember those who sacrificed their lives in conflicts and wars, as well the servicemen and women who continue to put their lives at risk for the freedom we all enjoy.

"It is a sad sign of these times that because of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic that commemorations this year were not able to be held in the usual way.

"However, communities across Stirling and Clackmannanshire and Scotland came up with innovative and thoughtful ways to mark the occasion, and like many others, I paid my respects individually and laid a wreath at a local memorial."

Elsewhere, Wee County veterans also went into Morrisons and helped the store's community champion Jayne Lindfield raise well over £1220.00