Remembrance parade called off
ONGOING CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC AND SOCIAL DISTANCING MEASURES BLAMED FOR DECISION TO CANCEL THIS YEAR’S ANNUAL EVENT, BUT A SMALL GATHERING OF DIGNITARIES WILL PERFORM CEREMONY TO BE STREAMED ONLINE
BURTON’S Remembrance Day parade which sees hundreds of people gather in town to remember our fallen heroes has been cancelled.
The ongoing coronavirus pandemic and social distancing measures has been blamed for the decision.
Instead, a small number of dignitaries will gather to lay wreaths, which will be filmed and posted on Youtube and the East Staffordshire Borough Council’s website.
A spokesman for the council said: “At this point the intention is that wreaths will be laid by a very small number of people, socially distanced, likely to include the Mayor, deputy Mayor, leader, chief executive, MP; and a representative of the Royal British Legion.
“We are encouraging our residents and veterans to pay their respects at home, by observing the national two-minute silence and watching the wreath laying which will be filmed and posted on Youtube and the council’s website.
“Please bear in mind that this, as with most things, is subject to change in response to any Covid related rules and regulations that may be in place at the time.”
It comes as the parade was cut short last year due to the withdrawal of the police’s marshalling services.
The parade usually would uld have started at Burton Town Hall all and followed down Station Street treet and reached to St Modwen’s en’s Church, in Market Place.
However, last year the e parade gathered at Burton Library before walking through High Street to the Market Place.
The council has also announced that just one small children’s ride is representing Burton’s historic ic statutes fair, which was cancelled due to the coronavirus virus pandemic.
The fair ride was due to be e present in the Market Place, Burton, n, today, with full Covid-safe measures asures in place.
The ride will be open from 2pm until 5pm, with all proceeds being donated to the Mayor’s charity.
The Statutes Fair has been running in some shape or form for many centuries.
The council and Pat Collins Funfair had mutually agreed that it is in the best interests of everyone in Burton and the wider borough for the event not to go ahead in its usual form.
However, those involved have been working together so that there will be this small, symbolic presence within the town to preserve the continuity of the Statutes. Councillor Ed Barker, the council’s deputy leader for leisure, culture and tourism, said: “While it is a shame that th the full event cannot go ahead, t the health of the general public h has to come first.
“Ho “However the Statutes Fair is fant fantastic for Burton, and it is gre great to see this long-standing tra tradition being safely pres served through this gesture. We look forward to welcoming the full Statues Fair back to Burton next year.” Anthony Harris, of Pat C Collins Funfair, added: “C “Cancelling this year’s event wa was a really difficult decision but it is the right one for the comm community.
“The w wellbeing of the people of Burton and surrounding areas is paramount at this time.
“The S Statutes is more than just a fair, it’s a tradition, and it was really important that we keep that tradition going. We, as is everyone else, are looking forward to Burton Statutes 2021.”