A network of hyperlocal news websites broadcast Remembrance Sunday events live to their patches after coronavirus ruled out public commemorations.

Many of the 54 sites run by Nub News conducted Facebook Live broadcasts of services, which drew tens of thousands of viewers.

According to Nub News, more than one in four people living in Honiton, Devon, tuned in to its broadcast of the commemorations there.

Thurrock Nub News also conducted a ‘Remembrance tour’ which saw it attend 13 different memorial sites yesterday.

How Nub News covered Remembrance Sunday

Nub News chief executive Karl Hancock said he felt a sense of “huge pride” at the network’s coverage.

He added: “At a time when regional newspapers are struggling, our teams went the extra mile to ensure that this day remained special.

“I know from the reader and viewer response that has accompanied so many of our stories and films that our efforts are widely appreciated.

“It is exactly what Nub News is about. Local news for local people provided by people who have a feel for their communities and knowledge of what matters to the residents they serve.”

HTFP previously reported how titles run by JPIMedia and Reach plc had encouraged readers to hold their own doorstep commemorations.

JPIMedia produced a special Poppy Poster, backed by the Royal British Legion, to be published in titles throughout the country.

Jean MacQuarrie, editor-in-chief of JPIMedia’s Yorkshire Weekly titles, organised the poster with the RBL.

She said: “Remembrance Sunday parades and wreath laying ceremonies are huge and important events in all our communities every year. In fact, they seem to have become ever larger gatherings in recent years.

“So it was so sad to realise the pandemic meant that this year so many are either not taking place, or are going to be very small, strictly limited gatherings to observe the restrictions in place.

She added: “The deputy editor of The Scarborough News, Steve Bambridge, came up with the idea of creating and publishing a Poppy poster, as a full page to show we still remember in 2020.

“The poster was designed by John Clerkin and we asked the RBL to back it with their logo, which they were more than happy to do.”

You can read all our coronavirus-related stories here.