Remembrance Day parade is saved (From Thurrock Gazette)

Remembrance Day parade is saved

3:00pm Friday 19th October 2012 in News

STANFORD-LE-HOPE’s Remembra-nce Day parade has been saved from cancellation after an insurance headache was solved.

On Friday it looked as though the popular event to remember fallen soldiers was not going ahead on Sunday, November 11, as there was not enough cash to pay the £203 liability insurance.

Traditionally the fee was paid by the Stanford-le-Hope branch of the Royal British Legion, until it closed down following the death of its last member, John Neumann.

David Meacham, chairman of the town’s Remembrance Day Committee, said: “Since the Horndon-on-the-Hill branch of the British Legion took over Stanford-le-Hope branch, it has been an uphill struggle to continue the Remembrance Day Parade for the fallen, as apparently each branch is only insured to have one event on Remembrance Day and Horndon have their own.

“We have been lucky the last two years and have been able to get umbrella cover with organisations in Stanford. It was noted that 2012 could not be covered by the usual means, which meant this year’s parade and remembrance service would have to be cancelled if no funds could be found to cover the insurance.”

David put out an e-mail to everyone he could think of about the parade’s potential demise and within hours had received several offers of help.

The eventual saviour was Conservative MP for East Thurrock Stephen Metcalfe, who made some calls to Royal British Legion’s headquarters and discovered the Stanford-le-Hope event could be covered under its national policy.

David said: “It is a huge relief that this year’s event can go ahead.

“It is really great to see that the community spirit is set to rally around for what is a national event.

“So here is hoping for a sunny, dry day for this year’s event.”