A TOWN council in South Wales will not hold a parade for Remembrance this year.
The news was revealed in a shock Facebook post on Wednesday, October 25, by Barry Town Council.
The council say that, in a change to Royal British Legion policy, local councils now take additional responsibilities and cannot overcome health and safety concerns.
The decision is partly based off the back of an incident where an Army vet was injured in a parade in England in 2018.
During that parade, Ade Stowell suffered serious head injuries when he was hit by a car while marshalling at Studley's Remembrance Sunday parade.
The Barry Town Council Facebook post said: “This year, Royal British Legion and Barry Town Council have met regularly to discuss the event and a difficult decision has been made to not host a parade for 2023 due to health and safety challenges which cannot be overcome at this late stage.
“The Royal British Legion had been responsible for parades until 2019 when it was then recommended by a new Royal British Legion policy that local councils take on additional responsibilities.
“This followed an incident in 2018 when an Army veteran suffered serious head injuries when he was hit by a car while marshalling the Studley Remembrance Sunday parade.”
A Remembrance Service will be held on Sunday at 10.45am, with an outdoor service to be held at the Cenotaph and an indoor service to be held at The Memo Arts Centre afterwards.
On the cancellation of the parade, leader of the council, Councillor Bronwen Brooks said BTC was still committed to honour those who gave their lives for freedom.
Cllr Brooks said: “Barry Town Council is committed to providing a Remembrance Service for the people of Barry and honouring those who gave their lives for us and our freedom.
“We have worked with Royal British Legion for many years to create a lovely service and will continue to do so, where we are able.”
“We are saddened to have to cancel the parade for 2023, but due to unresolved health and safety considerations, we have to prioritise the safety of the groups, pedestrians, veterans, emergency services, children and staff.
“Hopefully, RBL and Barry Town Council can work together on these issues next year.”
This year, Barry's outdoor service will be led by Father Chris Seaton, Chaplain to The Royal British Legion.
At 10.45am a wreath laying will take place followed by a service of Remembrance and a two minute silence to be observed at 11am.
Following this, everyone is invited to follow into Memo Arts Centre for an additional service, including songs, readings and refreshments.
Royal British Legion has been contacted for comment.
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