Pelsall parade cash raised

Community groups from across the borough were left needing to find £4,000 after some of the funding to close the roads was withdrawn last year.

Walsall Council will contribute 30 per cent of traffic management costs, up to £1,000, but the Police and Crime Commissioner for the West Midlands pulled out of the funding in 2016.

Now, the ‘Preservation of Pelsall Remembrance Service’ group has revealed it has raised enough cash to ensure the parade will go ahead, with organisers thanking the ‘super human effort’ of volunteers.

Mr Alan Dodsworth, who is head of the committee, said: "Just under seven months ago myself and Garry Perry formed the Preservation Of Pelsall Remembrance Society.

"In that short time, some very hard work and super human efforts have ensued, all in the cause of preserving the Remembrance Service in Pelsall.

"As a result of the enthusiasm, commitment and sheer dedication of the POPRS Committee, members, volunteers and the people and businesses of Pelsall, I can report that there will be a Remembrance Parade in Pelsall on November 12 this year.

"We have successfully raised the requisite funds, obtained approval from the Safety Advisory Group (SAG) for our submitted plans to go ahead, secured public liability insurance courtesy of Think Insurance and overseen a tendering process for the services of a Traffic Management Company.

"We were even complimented by the SAG on the thoroughness and quality of our application, they had no issues or questions arising from it."

Parades had been under threat last year after West Midlands Police said it would no longer be providing officers for traffic management duties.

However in December, Walsall Council's cabinet agreed to provide 30 per cent of traffic management costs, up to a cap of £1,000 per parade, for the years 2017, 2018 and 2019, with the contribution being reviewed in the financial year 2019/20.

More details on the Pelsall parade will be released closer to the event but Mr Dodsworth did reveal it was being held in two parts this year.

He said: "Part one will be a March along the High Street. starting at the Village Centre. to the War Memorial.

"The High Street and surrounding roads along it, will be closed off by the Traffic Management Company together with roads around the War Memorial.

"The March will then muster at the War Memorial along with the general public for part two, The Act of Remembrance.

"We hope the people of Pelsall share our pride and excitement and we look forward to seeing everyone on the day."