Children taking part in a previous Garland Day procession
A traditional May Day
children's parade could be
cancelled because police
officers do not want to
marshal it.
The annual children's
Garland Day procession has
been a part of the celebrations in
Lewes for 25 years but has its
roots in the late 19th century.
The event was introduced in
1874 by the prominent Verrall
family in Lewes to encourage a
love and knowledge of wild flowers
and to alter the activities of
"urchins" who traditionally
begged a penny for the garland
on May Day.
But according to Sussex
Police, the children's High
Street march could be missing
from this year's festivities.
Inspector Viv Johnson of
Lewes police, said: "The event is
normally policed by specials but
this year nobody wants to do it."
For the past quarter of a century
children have assembled in
the grounds of Lewes Castle
bedecked in flowers and foliage.
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Morris dancing teams, including
the Lewes-based Knots of
May ladies, perform with their
garlands and then lead the children,
who are both wearing and
carrying garlands, down High
Street to the Cliffe.
But the youngsters, who
would normally receive a certificate
for participating, could this
year be left empty handed. Mary
Motley, Garland Day organiser
for the Knots of May said:
"We're getting nearer and
nearer to May and still the Garland
Parade is in jeopardy. We
feel we need a police presence to
make the procession safe for the
children.
"We have enough of our own
marshals but we don't command
the same respect as the police
when closing roads so we need
them to help. But we're not getting
any support.
"We need them for about half
an hour but it seems the safety
of children and community
traditions means nothing."
Insp Johnson said: "The
procession goes the wrong way
down the High Street and we
have to stop the traffic at the
top, the middle, and the bottom
of the road. Any road closure is
down to the people who have
asked for the closure. If you ask
for a road closure you have to
provide marshals."
Insp Johnson added that she
was trying to draft in staff from
elsewhere.
Lewes MP Norman Baker said
it would be a shame if the parade
had to be abandoned this year.
He said: "It's a very colourful
event in the Lewes calendar and
a way must be found to make
sure it continues."
What do you think could be done to save the parade? Tell us below
Posted by: Gino, Portslade on 11:32am Wed 26 Mar 08
Hmmm. Call me cynical if you like, but my gut feeling is that there is no love lost between the police and the citizens of Lewes, and the police are being spiteful.
Why does anyone need to "marshall" a bunch of kids waving wild flowers anyway.
Hmmm. Call me cynical if you like, but my gut feeling is that there is no love lost between the police and the citizens of Lewes, and the police are being spiteful.
Why does anyone need to "marshall" a bunch of kids waving wild flowers anyway.
Posted by: Dave, Wivelsfield on 11:49am Wed 26 Mar 08
[quote][bold]Gino[/bold] wrote:
Hmmm. Call me cynical if you like, but my gut feeling is that there is no love lost between the police and the citizens of Lewes, and the police are being spiteful. Why does anyone need to "marshall" a bunch of kids waving wild flowers anyway. [/quote] Health and Safety dear Gino.
Do you not realise the damage that can be inflicted with a limp daisy in the hands of a drug driven child.
Next they'll be shuting playgrounds if the SAS are not there to control the rampaging toddlers.
FFS the world has gone totally mad - let me off.
Gino wrote:
Hmmm. Call me cynical if you like, but my gut feeling is that there is no love lost between the police and the citizens of Lewes, and the police are being spiteful. Why does anyone need to "marshall" a bunch of kids waving wild flowers anyway.
Health and Safety dear Gino.
Do you not realise the damage that can be inflicted with a limp daisy in the hands of a drug driven child.
Next they'll be shuting playgrounds if the SAS are not there to control the rampaging toddlers.
The police are disgraceful. They expect rises from the council tax every year - yet the residents never see anything for these increases. The police can turn up in their hundreds for football matches, peaceful demos, royalty - the police of the 21st century are an absolute disgrace. The young people will never respect the police.
The police are disgraceful. They expect rises from the council tax every year - yet the residents never see anything for these increases. The police can turn up in their hundreds for football matches, peaceful demos, royalty - the police of the 21st century are an absolute disgrace. The young people will never respect the police.
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