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Remembrance Day parade scrapped for first time in 60 years over 'health and safety' fears
Last updated at 23:22pm on 24.07.07
Bernard McCartin, a parade leader, is angry that this year's Remembrance Day parade is cancelled in Horwich, Lancashire
Every year since 1945, the town of Horwich has held a parade to remember its war dead.
But thanks to health and safety rules, there won't be one this year.
And there are fears that Remembrance Day marches nationwide may be threatened by similar safety demands, which put severe pressure on budgets.
Organisers in the Lancashire town have previously relied on brief and small-scale road closures put in place for free by the police, to clear the way for the event.
But this year, senior police officers said although they will still make no charge, a team of marshals must be employed to man the route at a cost of about £50 a day.
In addition, organisers will have to pay for each road they want closed.
To make matters worse, Bolton Council has increased permanent road closure prices from £300 to £800 this year.
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Old soldiers in Horwich will have to be content with watching the national Remembrance Service at the Cenotaph on TV after their own parade had to be scrapped because of an £18,000 'health and safety' bill
These costs could bring the final bill to £18,000 - making the November 11 parade too expensive to hold.
Usually it would cost only a couple of thousand pounds.
Greater Manchester Police said the extra security is necessary because another force in the West Midlands was successfully sued when Brownies participating in a parade were injured by a car which drove into them while they were marching.
But Bernard McCartin, of the Royal British Legion's Horwich branch, warned that the cost of imposing further safety measures could affect parades across the country. Mr McCartin, 65, who served with the Royal Observer Corps in Lincolnshire, added: 'This is very disappointing, but there is not a lot we can do.
"It is a mark of disrespect to every person who gave their lives for this town."
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A band plays during last year's parade in Horwich
The former mayor of Horwich, a parade leader, added: "Several hundred people watch this event every year with all sorts of organisations from cub scouts to veterans taking part.
"It is a further erosion of what we hold dear in the country."
A spokesman for the Royal British Legion said it would be looking into the matter.
"The issue of proposed local council and police charging to ensure the safety of Remembrance Day parades is of great concern. It is clear that a change of policy has taken place at local level."
Tory defence spokesman Dr Liam Fox said: 'This is a scandal. To hear that people cannot remember those who gave their lives for this country due to overzealous bureaucrats is crazy.
"I'd hope the authorities will be reconsidering their application of the rules to ensure that the parade can go ahead."
However, Steve Rock, of Horwich Town Council, said it did not have the money to help to meet the bill.
He said: "People will be upset, but the only way to fund it would be to raise council tax next year."
The Horwich parade has been held since 1945.
It passes through the town and ends at the war memorial.
A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said the force did not charge for policing parades but warned that the local authority does charge for road closures.
"To address this, the force has suggested a shorter route that would not involve closing roads and, therefore, not cost the organisers anything."
PC Phil Waring, events planner for Bolton, explained why the safety rules had been imposed.
"There was an incident in the West Midlands where the police were successfully sued and, as a result, we have to follow new guidelines and make it safer for people."
Earlier this year, health and safety rules ended an annual duck race in Upper Dam, Lymm, Cheshire, which raised money for charity.
The event was so popular that council officials insisted that organisers close a nearby road to meet health and safety requirements.
But Warrington Borough Council refused to pay for the closure - and the Round Table, which organised the event, said it could not afford the £3,000 bill.
Reader views (19)
human resources an health and safety gone mad again, the march should not cost anything, im sure many people would volunteer there services for free on these occassions. another kick in the teeth for normal people wanting to remember the fallen.
- Fenbo Horwich, horwich england, 10/11/2009 22:50
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I am so sadened to have read about the future of your rememberance parade. what an earth is going on, as our local news reports the very sad death of a local 20 yr old british coldstream guard.This is the case up and down our land.With our sons and daughters serving overseas.In very demanding times.It is clear to me that now more than ever,the need to remember remains,and so should should your parade.god bless H.M.Forces. Nick Davies. Ex 22nd of foot. CHESHIRES.
- Dava Davies, reigate surrey., 12/10/2009 17:58
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They have spent £300,000 on a spirit of sport statue, £30,000 on a rusting train tower, £1000s on road signs that twin us with unknown European towns but have to think twice about £2,000 for our war dead.
- Unknown Soldier, Horwich England, 16/08/2007 23:02
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Another example of how England has lost the plot, can't say I am shocked. My grandfather and other members of my family who were in the military would be disgusted.
- Ciar, London, 16/08/2007 22:02
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Disgust is my only reaction to this article.
- Dave Bristol, Bristol England, 16/08/2007 22:02
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Why don't they arrange to close the road for repairs in March? That would ensure that it was still closed to traffic in November.
- Lezli, London/UK, 16/08/2007 22:02
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So when roads are closed for repairs do tax payers get refunds? Miserable bunch of people and they say to be proud you're British.
- Sarah, London, 16/08/2007 22:02
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This boils down to Greater Manchester Police not being prepared to provide a "rolling road block" as in previous years.
This was reported on tonight's BBC North West news yet later in the same edition The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, having been awarded the freedom of the city, were shown marching through city centre Manchester with, you guessed it, a "rolling road block".
- Michael, Oldham, England, 16/08/2007 22:02
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Once again our heritage is lost for the want of 18K. There should be a national rememberance budget to pay for events such as this. If it wasn't for these brave soldiers and the ones who died we would be living under the Nazi jackboot. I doubt they would have been too concerned about Health and Safety.
- Andrew, Harrow, UK, 16/08/2007 22:02
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Yet more idiocy. What health and safety issues are there with walking for heaven's sake? It's not 'political correctness', it's lunacy. I hope they march anyway - they would't dare arrest a bunch of war veterans.
- Paul, London, 16/08/2007 22:02
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What a disgusting sign of dis-respect to men who won us the freedom to be able to sue! I cannot believe that road closures have to be paid for.
This is just another example of not just the nanny state but also how people will gladly make money from any situation
I will gladly travel Horwich to provide my time as a marshal for free! Or an even better idea, more locals should offer there time to marshall events on the 11th November.
- Stuart, Dunstable UK, 16/08/2007 22:02
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When it comes to giving your life so that future generations can live without fear and dictatorship then money should be no object. Our fathers fought for our freedom and sacrificed what they held dear. The council of Horwich should be ashamed to even consider stopping the remembrance parade, the men and women who fought so hard for our freedom are the backbone of the country and should never be forgotten. The council must dig deep to pay for the parade like our soldiers dug deep to bury there fallen comrades.
- Unknown Soldier, Horwich england, 16/08/2007 22:02
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This is a disgrace and an enormous kick in the teeth to all our war veterans. The 30 something generation who head up these stupid council departments are obviously too far removed from the impact of the war on our nation to care. Perhaps they need a lesson in exactly what this country would have become if it were not for these men. We owe them everything, closing a few roads is a small price for their legacy and the police should be working as volunteers on the day. What a dreadful story.
- Suzanne, Kensington, 16/08/2007 22:02
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I totally agree with Stuart from Dunstable (and all the other comments), and I too would gladly travel to Horwich to offer my services. They wouldn't dare stop anything to do with so-called ethnic minorities, but yet again our own citizens born and bread and our own valued traditions are scrapped without any thought. It's a disgrace.
- Geraldine, London, 16/08/2007 22:02
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Thank God the H&SE weren't around in 1939 otherwise the whole of Europe would have remained after Nazi tyranny. After all, wars are a risky business.
- Phil, Leatherhead, 16/08/2007 22:02
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However, Steve Rock, of Horwich Town Council, said it did not have the money to help to meet the bill.
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Bet your backside there is money for the spongers, drug addicts, and immigrants though!
- Captain Bryn Wayt, Heathfield, East Sussex, 16/08/2007 22:02
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This has nothing to do with 'Health and Safety'; it is purely an inept and spiteful political attack on those who are associated with or support the armed forces. If it wasn't, the council could waive their fees or even make a donation, if not towards police costs then to a service charity to support servicemen and women who are currently being injured and maimed in Iraq and Afghanistan in the name of the people of Lancashire. Why don't they take down their war memorial while they're at it so that war may not be 'glorified' ?
- Peter Haldane, London, 16/08/2007 22:02
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These petty beaurocrats would not be here but for the people who sacrificed their lives in two world wars. Remembrance Day is a day everyone living in this country should respect.
- Stephen, London, 16/08/2007 22:02
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Horwich Council should cover the costs and be proud to do so.
- T J Franklin, BONCATH, WALES, 16/08/2007 22:02
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