Fakenham's Remembrance parade back on after council U-turn

Fakenham Town Council announced earlier this week that the annual event on Sunday, which traditionally attracts hundreds of people, would not go ahead.

In a statement, it said the decision had been taken "in line with regional advice".

Angela Glynn, council chairwoman, said it followed discussions with the Royal British Legion (RBL), which raised concerns about whether the police would be able to close the roads to allow the parade to proceed safely.

Colonel David James (right) has been thanked for his time as the chairman of the Fakenham branch of the Royal British Legion. Picture supplied by Daniel Joslin (Image: Archant) However, 24 hours later - and with criticism spreading online - the authority reversed its decision and said it would go ahead.

The fiasco seems to be based on confusion over what the advice from the RBL was and who actually had the authority to cancel the event.

Mrs Glynn said she believed there had been national guidance from the Legion saying parades could not go ahead.

In fact, it appears the local branch had simply raised its own concerns that not enough police officers would be present.

Colonel David James, Fakenham branch chairman, said he had been told there would not be sufficient police assisting with traffic control and, as a result, the town council's insurance would not cover the event.

"It's very regrettable but I cannot take the risk," he initially said.

However, a national spokesman for the RBL said that as it was a civic event, it was not for the charity to decide whether or not it went ahead.

And police have since confirmed that they will be able to assist with traffic management.

The council put out a second statement confirming the event would proceed, saying: "We apologise for any confusion and thank you for your understanding and support."
 

The march will end in the town's market place (Image: Archant)

Mrs Glynn added: "I'm absolutely delighted the event is going to go ahead as it has done for many years." 

Col James later apologised if he had caused any confusion. He added: "I can only apologise and the best outcome is that the parade is now going ahead."

Unlike most such parades, Fakenham's takes place in the afternoon of Remembrance Sunday.

It starts at 2.40pm at Queen's Road car park and goes through the marketplace, where wreaths are laid at the war memorial, before continuing to the parish church for a service.