Clacton MP Nigel Farage has offered Walton-on-the-Naze’s Remembrance Sunday parade a lifeline after stepping in to assist the local Royal British Legion after it cancelled plans over insurance issues.
Farage, who romped to victory in the Essex seaside seat on July 4, offered to cover the costs of organising the event after the charity announced it was pulling the parade.
The 60-year-old Brexit supremo is a known history lover – and previously paid his respects to Walton-on-the-Naze’s own First World War Private Herbert Columbine.
Columbine was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross at the age of 24 after single-handedly holding off a German onslaught at Hervilly Wood with a Vickers gun to ensure that two fellow Machine Gun Corps soldiers could escape unscathed.
Nigel Farage on Gold Beach in Arromanches in Normandy, France, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings
PA
But this year, Walton-on-the-Naze’s Royal British Legion had announced it was cancelling its parade due to a change in insurance circumstances.
Neil Hayes, of Walton Royal British Legion, said: “Due to circumstances beyond our control, there will be no Remembrance Sunday parade this year, due to changes in insurance regarding parades.
“This decision has not been taken lightly, but for everyone’s safety was deemed necessary.
“Plans are already being looked into to bring the parade back next year.”
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Farage with the statue of Private Columbine
NIGEL FARAGE
Hayes added: “This does no detract from the main service of remembrance and wreath-laying, which is still going ahead.
“This year we have a representative from His Majesty the King, the Vice Lord Lieutenant of Essex, laying a wreath.”
It is not known who is responsible for providing the insurance.
RBL supports members of the Armed Forces and veterans across the country.
Nigel Farage with veterans to mark D-Day
NIGEL FARAGE
The charity organises a number of parades and events across Essex to mark Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday.
Frinton & Walton Town Council said it had no involvement with the town’s Remembrance Sunday parades.
Tendring District Council also claimed it was not behind organising the event, although it does assist a similar service in Clacton-on-Sea.
During the 2024 General Election campaign, Farage also visited the Columbine Centre, named after the local hero in the heart of the town.
