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Sadness as town's remembrance parade cancelled

BBC Helen Joyce sitting next to the war memorial in CotgraveBBC
Helen Joyce started a petition to save the parade, which was signed by 300 people

People living in a Nottinghamshire town are "disappointed" over the cancellation of its remembrance parade.

Cotgrave Town Council pointed to the costs of hosting the event and falling spectator numbers as reasons behind the decision.

A petition calling for this year's parade through Cotgrave to go ahead as normal has attracted 300 signatures.

The town council said it had not taken the decision lightly and understood residents' disappointment.

Helena Coupland said she was disappointed the parade has been cancelled
Helena Coupland said it's a shame for the town

Helen Joyce, 45, has lived in Cotgrave for 13 years. She set up the petition, and said she is "disheartened and disappointed by the decision".

She conceded the numbers of people attending the parade have dwindled in recent years.

But she added: "It doesn't matter how many people come; there should be some visual act of remembrance on the street."

"It feels like the beginning of Cotgrave forgetting, and that's very, very sad".

Some residents have expressed their regret at the cancellation of the event.

Helena Coupland, 36 and from Cotgrave, said: "I think it's a shame because they do a great job of it every year."

Cotgrave Town Council said the on-road Remembrance Parade has "faced difficulties for several years".

The authority said it has "struggled to safely staff the event" and there was a lack of marshals in 2023 which meant it had to pay for a private security firm.

Norma and John Everington wouldn't have gone to the parade but say people can still remember the fallen
Norma and John Everington said there were other ways for people to remember those who had died

John Everington, 78, from Cotgrave, said he would not have gone to the parade and that there are other ways to remember.

He added: "There are things like the benches, and the memorial outside the church as well.

"As long as schools keep teaching kids about wars, that's the main thing."

Cotgrave Town Council said it has offered to advise community groups if they want to take on organising the parade.

The Royal British Legion said it was "saddened" to hear about the Cotgrave parade cancellation, and it "understands it was a difficult decision to make".

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