Anger after parade cancelled
PEOPLE living in Maesteg have launched a petition asking the town council to rethink its decision after cancelling its annual Christmas parade.
Maesteg Town Council announced the parade would not be returning following the Welsh Government’s decision to implement compulsory Covid passes for large outdoor events.
The new rules state that vaccine passports are compulsory for outdoor no-seating events with more than 4,000 people.
The council said it did not want the festive occasion to become a Covid19 “super-spreader” event.
The town is not the first to announce the cancellation, with Cowbridge’s Reindeer Parade coming to a similar decision following the new rules.
One man wrote: “I just want to say what an utter complete disgrace the town council and powers that be are for cancelling the annual parade.”
Another woman echoed his sentiments, adding the “Maesteg I grew up in was a place to be proud of, my grandchildren will never know how wonderful this place was.” A petition has since been launched asking the council to rethink its decision.
Petition organiser Tammy Laugharne wrote: “Please can the council rethink the cancellation of the Maesteg Christmas Parade.
“The pandemic has been a difficult time for all the residents but particularly the children.
“Let the parade go ahead and give the people of Maesteg a muchneeded feel-good event.”
Other residents argued that children missed out on Christmas festivities last year due to local lockdowns, and that it would be “disgusting” to do the same this year.
Explaining its decision, a spokesperson for Maesteg Town Council said: “Citing ongoing public health concerns and a lack of clarity on Covid safety, Maesteg Town Council has made the regrettable decision not to proceed with the usual Christmas parade through the town centre.
“Initial advice provided to the council suggests safety concerns, with a significant number of people – up to 2,000 by previous estimates – packed in closely in the town centre.
“The event also doesn’t lend itself to introducing a ticket-only option as there are a number of entry points to the main streets.
“The council does not wish for the event to become a ‘super-spreader’ in the run up to Christmas.”
However, the spokesperson did say the council was “actively exploring” options to still safely celebrate Christmas in the Llynfi Valley, and that the traditional lighting display through Commercial and Talbot Street will go ahead.
The spokesperson added: “Councillors are again keen to encourage local shops and traders to continue to dress their shop windows festively this year to bring as much Christmas cheer and spirit to the town centre after a difficult year.”