HONOURING Britain’s war dead has long been an annual tradition in Dursley, with a Remembrance Day parade taking place every November to show respect for those who gave their lives fighting for the country.

This year’s event is particularly significant, as Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday fall on the same date, November 11, with the date this year also marking the centenary since the signing of the armistice agreement to end hostilities.

But with just under two months to go, staff at Dursley Town Council were shocked to receive a bill of £85 from Stroud District Council, for the closure of the road during the event.

Town clerk John Kay said: “Dursley Town Council arrange a short road closure each year to allow for the parade and for the wreaths to be laid at the memorial gates to St James Church.

“This year, when we submitted the road closure application, I was told that we would need to pay the £85 administration fee. 

“Although not a huge sum of money, it would seem a rather poor decision by SDC, given it’s the 100th year anniversary of the end of WW1.

“The police don’t charge for it, we don’t charge for it and I don’t think SDC should either. It’s not right.”

Dursley Town Councillor Jane Ball, who is also chairwoman of the Royal British Legion Cam and Dursley branch, said: “I am very disappointed by Stroud District Council’s decision to charge for this.

“It’s not a lot of money, so it’s not going to make a lot of difference to Stroud District Council’s finances.

“But it’s the significance of what it represents.

“Dursley’s Remembrance parade and service is really important to the town.

“We have a lot of people, young and old coming along, and it seems to be growing each year. 

“With this year marking the centenary of the end of WW1, people have been hearing so much about it and have a greater understanding of what happened.

“A lot of the names of the fallen from Dursley are still the names of families living here now.”

Loraine Patrick, Gloucestershire County Councillor for Dursley, said: “I was really surprised to hear about the charge.

“Really, the amount is irrelevant, it’s the principle that matters.

“It’s not something one would look at making money out of, is it?”

A Stroud District Council spokesman said: “The fee to parish and town councils for road closure applications is a contribution towards the costs involved in processing them. 

“Nationally many other councils charge for the same service, and our charges compare favourably. 

“Two other councils have paid the fee for similar events this year.”

This year’s parade will run from May Lane bus station on November 11 at 2.30pm down to St James’ Church, where a church service will take place.

After the service, wreaths will be laid on the memorial gates and the parade will march back to May Lane.