Key Highlights
- The Upton Remembrance service in Merseyside has been cancelled due to a lack of insurance and difficulty completing a risk assessment.
- Wirral Council stated that they could not provide the necessary road closures or police escorts, citing new policing policies.
- Organisers of the event have expressed disappointment but understand the council’s decision for safety reasons.
- Alternatives to the cancelled service are available at various locations across Wirral.
Cancelled Remembrance Service Sparks Disappointment in Merseyside
The annual Upton Remembrance service, a long-standing tradition attracting around 1,000 attendees each year, has been officially cancelled due to a combination of logistical and regulatory challenges. The event’s organisers have reacted with disappointment, but acknowledged the council’s decision for safety reasons.
Insurmountable Challenges
Wendy Meade, the secretary of the Upton branch of the Royal British Legion, expressed frustration over the cancellation. “We did not realise there were only four active members of the legion and the branch no longer had a building to operate out of,” she stated. The lack of funds for insurance and unfamiliarity with completing a risk assessment further complicated the situation.
Regulatory Changes
In explaining their decision, Wirral Council cited new policies that prevent them from facilitating road closures or providing police escorts for Remembrance events. According to Chief Inspector Rob Budden of Merseyside Police, these changes in policy have shifted responsibility onto event organisers. “Merseyside Police attendance at Remembrance Day events has always been an important part of our civic duty,” he added, emphasizing the force’s continued involvement despite changes.
Alternatives and Community Support
While disappointed, Meade highlighted that alternative locations within Wirral are still hosting Remembrance services. These include sites such as Hamilton Square, Christ Church in Bebington, St Barnabus Church in Bromborough, among others. “We understand the council’s position,” she said, adding that they will support these smaller events but regret not being able to host a larger service.
Political and Organisational Implications
The cancellation of the event has drawn criticism from Reform UK’s David Burgess-Joyce. “We cannot stand by and allow bureaucracy and disinterest to cancel this most important national day,” he stated, urging for a reconsideration of policies that affect local community-led events.
Wirral Council remains committed to supporting Remembrance commemorations but noted the special circumstances surrounding the Upton event. “We are confident that had the necessary information been provided, we would have been able to assist in facilitating a safe and respectful event,” said a council spokesperson.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by local authorities in balancing community expectations with regulatory constraints, particularly as new policies shift responsibilities onto event organisers. The cancellation of the Upton Remembrance service serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in organising such significant events within a changing legislative landscape.
