Covid concerns cancel parade
SWANSEA’S annual Remembrance military parade has been cancelled this year due to coronavirus concerns.
It’s the second time the parade has been cancelled after last year’s event coincided with the autumn firebreak lockdown.
Phill Flower, South West Wales community fundraiser for the Royal British Legion, has stated that the decision was an incredibly tough one to make, but with many cadets off school with Covid, and with cases increasing steadily in many parts of Wales, it was a necessary one.
Mr Flower said: “Making the decision to cancel the parade is one that’s come with a great deal of heartache, hardship and time. It isn’t something we decided overnight – we discussed this very seriously over a long period of time with many organisational bodies and agencies, including South Wales Police and Swansea Council.”
Mr Flower pointed out that while he can understand disappointment, the safety of those involved is paramount, and that he isn’t willing to risk anybody’s health for the parade.
Other events will take place in lieu of the parade, including an additional cenotaph service at 11am on Remembrance Sunday, as well as an amplified poppy appeal.
Not everybody has welcomed the cancellation, though.
A vocal group of veterans have hit out at the cancellation, incorrectly blaming Swansea Council for cancelling the event. One veteran on a popular Facebook page has urged other veterans to join an unofficial march on Remembrance Sunday, citing it’s “their right” to march.
Comments flooded in on the post, with many outraged that the official event had been cancelled.
Mr Flower said: “Swansea Council have been the most supportive council we’ve dealt with in terms of supporting Remembrance and the poppy appeal, and they’re doing an outstanding job. We work very closely with them and we have great respect for everything they’re doing.”
Mr Flower added: “I can understand why people are disappointed, but there are still many ways to support and commemorate veterans through the poppy appeal and cenotaph. The last thing we want is a veteran to injure themselves or others, and to march without the proper risk assessment that goes into something like this.
“This year we’ll be collecting at three major superstores, including Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Asda. We urge those disappointed to redirect their frustrations to raise funds for veterans through the poppy appeal, because we really need it.
“At the end of the day, while it might feel like things are getting back to normal, they aren’t. We simply aren’t willing to risk any lives here. We are using the time to commemorate and support veterans in other ways, such as the poppy appeal and cenotaph.
“Next year, we should hope we will be back with the parade, but until then, our priority is to keep veterans safe.”