AN ANNUAL parade to commemorate the bravery of a Cwmbran hero, who defended helpless patients from Zulus, has been cancelled because Gwent Police cannot help with stopping traffic.

This month marks 140 years since the Battle of Rorke's Drift in South Africa, which saw the gallant John Fielding hold Zulus at bay with his bayonet, who then proceeded to knock holes in the hospital walls to carry patients to safety.

For his bravery he was awarded the highest accolade in the British honours system - the Victoria Cross.

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And for the last 26 years thousands of people have flocked to watch a solemn parade and memorial service in memory of the late veteran at his resting place in St Michael’s Church, Llantarnam.

But Cwmbran and District ex-Services Association (CADESA) ,which runs the parade, yesterday revealed it has cancelled the parade.

 

Picture: Members of CADESA are annoyed.

Chairman Tony Burnett said: "Every year Newport Road is closed for 30 minutes while the parade proceeds along it to the church, where the memorial service then takes place.

"And every year Gwent Police have managed the closed roads for us.

"They have now told us that they cannot do it. This happened a few years ago but police changed their minds.

"They said if there is an emergency and had to get away it could go against health and safety. They also said they would come along but would not police. We do not want them there if they will not help us."

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Picture: John Fielding.

CADESA had looked into paying an external company to oversee traffic management of the closed road, but members later agreed they could not "justify" the cost.

"Gwent Police said we need trained officers to oversee road closures and divergence traffic signs at Newport Road," said Mr Burnett.

"But hiring a company and getting signs will cost more than £1,000. We cannot spend that money.

"This is an insult to Fielding and other veterans."

 

Despite the parade not taking place, the memorial service will - and CADESA is urging people to attend.

Treasurer Bryn Carr said: "I am angry at what has happened. We will be having a memorial service but with the sound of traffic going past now.

"This is a service which takes place once a year for 30 minutes.

“We hope people can make it. People have tried helping us to sort this situation out. One of those was Nick Thomas-Symonds, the MP for Torfaen, so I would like to thank him for trying his best.”

And Nick Thomas-Symonds MP added: “John Fielding represents the very best of us all: courage, bravery and dedication to duty. It is disappointing that the parade is not going ahead this year but I am pleased that the commemoration will continue. It is vital that we continue to tell the story of John Fielding to future generations.”

A spokeswoman from Gwent Police confirmed the force is unable to take part in any traffic management plan.

Chief superintendent Marc Budden said: “I have asked inspector Phil O’Connell to ensure that we once again support this event by allocating officers or CSOs to attend in an engagement capacity.

“The issue for us as a police service is that we cannot be written into any traffic management plan, due to the fact that, if officers got called away to an emergency, it has the potential of putting members of public at risk. This is in line with a national approach and I know that similar events utilise marshals for this purpose.

“I want to reiterate my support for this event and assure you that officers will be attendance as long as operational commitments allow. For safety of all concerned, we just cannot be written into the traffic management plan.”

The memorial service will take place on Saturday, January 19 at 10.45am.