Andrew RT Davies slams Barry Town Council for parade fiasco

The Welsh Conservative leader described the decision as “shameful”, while leader of Vale Conservative councillors George Carroll said re-organising the Remembrance Sunday parade should be top priority.

In a Facebook post on October 25, Wales’ largest town council announced they would not hold a Remembrance Parade because they cannot overcome health and safety challenges at this late stage.

Mr Davies said the excuses offered by the council do not add up.  

“This is a shameful decision,” said Mr Davies. “Remembrance Sunday is an important event and the council must take all steps necessary to ensure it is commemorated. Their feeble excuses do not add up.”

Mr Carroll added: “It’s completely unacceptable they’ve failed in their duty to organise this year’s Remembrance Sunday parade.

“Organising the Remembrance Sunday parade should be a top priority for the council. The people of Barry will rightly ask why this was not the case.”

There will be two services on Sunday, November 12 (Image: BTC)

But there will be no parade to remember the fallen due to health and safety concerns (Image: Supplied)

The decision has created derision online with the people of Barry shocked the town will not march for the warriors who marched for them a century ago and died in pursuit of freedom.

Ms Claire Coelho summed up the sorry state of affairs, saying: “A sad decision by Barry Town Council not to support Veterans in Barry. This has taken place for many years, why stop this year?”

• Barry Town Council decide NOT to hold Remembrance parade this year
• Royal British Legion break silence on cancelled Remembrance parade with fury online

When Barry Town Council were asked by this publication if they could comment further about why they are doing this, the council replied there is no further information available.

One of the key reasons the council gave to not hosting the parade was that “new Royal British Legion policy” apparently says local authorities take on additional responsibilities for the parade, and, after a Vet was injured in a parade in England in 2018, BTC say health and safety concerns could not be overcome.

However, while an RBL spokesperson said parades are civic functions, they said the Legion was happy to assist if required and distanced the Legion from the decision not to host the parade. 

An RBL spokesperson said: “Local Remembrance services and parades are civic functions that are attended and supported by the Royal British Legion, and while we are happy to be consulted and provide assistance to organisers, the Legion is not responsible for, nor takes any final decisions regarding the delivery of these events.”

Leader of Barry Town Council, Councillor Bronwen Brooks said BTC was still committed to honouring 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.

RBL Barry Vice Chair Teresa Goodwin said a shortened parade and Cenotaph service will be held in the grounds of Barry Memorial Hall at 10:15am on Sunday, November 12, followed by a special service inside The Memo Arts Centre.