Parades scrapped but Remembrance services in Walsall to go ahead

Councillor Garry Perry, portfolio holder for community, leisure and culture, confirmed parades through the town will not be held while members of the public are being encouraged not to attend annual events next month amidst safety concerns.

But he said the borough will still honour those who gave their lives in past conflicts in a different way to what people are used to.

A two minutes’ silence for reflection and the playing of The Last Post will still take place.

Walsall Council had been waiting for Government guidance on how best to proceed with the events but Councillor Perry said they needed to decide now so local organisers were clear on what they can or can’t do.

Among the big changes to this year’s events include no parades or hymn singing, a smaller group of dignitaries at each services, wreaths will be laid before the Sunday services, events being live streamed or recorded for later viewing, and downloadable poppies for people to print out and put in their windows.

Councillor Perry, who is part of the organising committee for Remembrance services in his Pelsall ward, said people who do choose to attend are being asked to take responsibility for their own social distancing.

He said: “Some parts of the country are in the depths of massive increases in infection rates and we’re are still in the midst of it, so public health guidance has to be followed.

“We could not hold off the decision any longer as most of the organisers and volunteers involve elderly people and veterans.

“So we couldn’t just let it go through and then a week before say, ‘actually you can’t do it now’.

“We didn’t want to be in a position where it was too late to change things or you’re expecting people to react to guidance a week or so before the event. It’s not fair.

“We took a decision to not go ahead with parades and we are asking the public not to attend.

“There will be very short and focused acts of remembrance at Walsall at each of the cenotaphs with a very reduced number of people following the ‘rule of six’.

“If residents still choose to attend we are asking them to take responsibility for their own social distancing. It’s not fair to expect organisers to be responsible for others’ social distancing.

“Remembrance is sacrosanct to me. Whilst it won’t be in the same way as normal, that act of remembrance and that acknowledgement of all those who served before will still continue. It will just be done in a very different way to maintain personal safety.

“We know how much this means to our communities and Walsall will remember.

“But even more so this year, given the amount of suffering and anguish and anxiety that has happened because of Covid, people will look to it as a period for reflection.

“We want to ensure that takes place but takes place safely.”