Budget cuts set to make this last St George's Day parade

by Lisa Reeves

Tuesday 14^th April 2015

Tue 14^th Apr 2015

At the end of the month Alderley District Scouts will once again be parading through the village for their annual celebration of St George's Day.

Led by the District Scout Band, the parade will take place on Sunday 26th April, starting about 2.30pm. They will set off from the playing fields at Chorley Hall Lane and proceed down London Road to St Philips & St James Church.

Local people are encouraged to watch the march and support the young people, especially as this will be the last time the parade takes place in its current form as budget cuts mean that Cheshire police are no longer able to provide officers to manage the traffic.

District Commissioner, Stephen Buckley said "It is a shame as we know the village enjoys the parade but it really is not practical to manage the traffic on a busy road like London Road without the Police. We are grateful for the support of the Police over many years but we understand the realities they are facing. If one or two retired officers volunteered to help, then we would reconsider otherwise we will find another way to celebrate."

Chorley Hall Lane, London Road and Ryleys Lane will be closed from 2.30pm to 2.40pm for the parade on Sunday 26th April. Ryleys Lane will also be closed briefly from 4pm to 4.10pm.

Tags:: St George's Day Parade

Comments

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.

Alan Brough

Tuesday 14^th April 2015 at 1:11 pm

This is such a sad piece of news and serves as another example of the insidious erosion of our Village way of life.

How much can it really COST to close Alderley Road for half an hour on a Sunday afternoon, and who decides that this outweighs the VALUE of teaching our children about English custom and tradition and providing for them an opportunity to come together and demonstrate their pride in the Village?

Chris Jones

Tuesday 14^th April 2015 at 1:30 pm

This is disgraceful ,the police can't help support a local event but for a few weeks recently have had three or four cars camped on the A34 bypass,
Where has the 1.99% policing increase in council tax gone?

Michael Orange

Tuesday 14^th April 2015 at 2:40 pm

Are there not sufficient members of the local constabulary who have an interest in their children's welfare to volunteer their time free on this occasion? After all, the adults supporting scouts give their time constantly at no cost, to enable the children to be taught good citizenship, as part of the Big Society. Next, it will be no remembrance services. Since we are in constant reassurance that the nation is in full growth and prosperity, I think a word with the local member of parliament is in order. Just give me a moment to find out who he is!

Fenton Simpson

Tuesday 14^th April 2015 at 3:00 pm

This is a disgrace. It's time we all contacted the crime commissioner and petitioned for a change in this decision and get our 1.99% increase value for money!

Tuesday 14^th April 2015 at 5:17 pm

Just a thought, this parade isn't being stopped simply because it's a St George's day parade is it?

David Hadfield

Tuesday 14^th April 2015 at 5:25 pm

Chris Jones, I was thinking exactly the same. ........... It's a disgrace !

Stephen Buckley

Tuesday 14^th April 2015 at 6:52 pm

Thanks to everyone for your support. Just to be clear this is not just affecting the Scouts, its also affecting other community events both in the village and across Cheshire wider.

Christine Munro

Tuesday 14^th April 2015 at 7:10 pm

Including the Alderley Edge May Fair

Karen Robinson

Tuesday 14^th April 2015 at 8:28 pm

One very easy answer to this!! Get out on the beat and start booking them illegally parked cars! Never mined 15 tickets in 7 months! 15 tickets morning and afternoon! Soon have enough money to pay for the police services!

Gary Morrison

Tuesday 14^th April 2015 at 8:29 pm

Where is Frank and the weight of the conservatives ..... just when you need them.

Tuesday 14^th April 2015 at 9:33 pm

Jon Williams,

Was curious as to your opinion on this thread ?

Frank Keegan

Tuesday 14^th April 2015 at 9:47 pm

Stephen Buckley,

If you email me at Cheshire East, , I will find you a solution to keep the Parade going annually.

Martin Dixon

Tuesday 14^th April 2015 at 10:27 pm

Stephen

You can really trust Frank to do this as he is a man of his word.

Jon Williams

Tuesday 14^th April 2015 at 10:39 pm

I was thinking about this and yes it would be a real shame if it could not go ahead, no doubt if it was for the start of Ramadan or something in Manchester it would not be a problem.

We do have a quite a large lovely park though and it's very near to the church, so a St George's Day parade can ALWAYS go ahead and if the Police want to attend (for free) they would be welcome.

Wednesday 15^th April 2015 at 9:31 am

Thanks everyone, I will contact Frank

Bob Tuffin

Wednesday 15^th April 2015 at 10:12 am

Yes, please help us Frank and please also remember the Procession of Witnesses on Good Friday which is under threat for the same reason.

Steph Walsh

Wednesday 15^th April 2015 at 5:17 pm

Frankly, I think we should be campaigning for St George's Day to be recognised far more than it is (which is... hardly). Imagine Ireland without St Patrick's Day, I never understood why we cannot have a significant national day for England when we do have the patron saint. The suggestion that the parade should not go ahead, for whatever reason, is very saddening.

Denise Carter

Thursday 16^th April 2015 at 7:08 pm

I sincerely hope that all problems on this issue are resolved . How can we maintain tradition and respect if we do not provide opportunities for our young people to experience and learn. Please support the continuation of this annual event .

Thursday 16^th April 2015 at 7:45 pm

23rd April
If you have an England Flag please show your respect for you country by flying your flag next Thursday

Duncan Herald

Friday 17^th April 2015 at 4:37 pm

St. Georges day. Public holiday please. With the forthcoming elections, is it probable that at least some of the party leaders could be 'bounced' into at least promising to 'look at' the question?

A letter to the 'election office' of each party leader/ I assume that UKIP might be the first 'off the mark', followed by the Conservatives?

Howard Worsley

Friday 17^th April 2015 at 5:04 pm

I notice several comments from people mentioning St Georges Day and England are we still allowed to mention these things, I thought it had all been banned by the British?
Well one cannot tick a nationality box as being English one can for other nationalities but not English so I assumed we had been subsumed!

Kelly Windram

Friday 17^th April 2015 at 9:15 pm

Many thanks for all the support. For those who don't know me ( or recognise the married surname) I am one of the leaders of cubs and beavers in the village. The reason we parade on st George's day is because Baden-Powell chose st George as the patron saint of scouting due to qualities of faith, courage and perseverance. If you are able to join us in the village we would welcome the support. I know from previous parades the young people are amazed at the sight of bringing the village to a standstill. We value the services of the police keeping us safe and personally I would hate it if we had to move or cancel the parade. In scouting we look a lot at making a positive impact on the local community, let's hope we get the opportunity to continue.

Friday 17^th April 2015 at 9:20 pm

Kelly - "The reason we parade on st George's day"
Not strictly true, as St. Georges day is on Thursday 23rd

Friday 17^th April 2015 at 11:35 pm

Point made Jon Williams, unfortunately we are unable to parade on st George's day each year so we go for the Sunday closest ( same applies to remembrance day). Semantics aside , the explanation was to highlight why to celebrate st George and not say Baden-Powell's birthday or anniversary of first camp at brownsea island as some comments were questioning the budget cuts.

Saturday 18^th April 2015 at 9:47 am

That's why the 23rd April should be our National Holiday, then you could parade on St. Georges Day