Civic blunders spoilt a memorable event

On Friday May 18 2012, 200 soldiers of The Royal Logistics Corps, stationed at Marlborough Barracks, Kineton, heralded by the Band of the Parachute Regiment, marched out of the magnificent archway of Warwick Castle onto the streets of our majestic county seat, having been awarded the Freedom of the Town. Heads held high, bayonets fixed, uniforms pristinely pressed, boots and buttons polished like mirrors in the sunshine, the Corps and band were resplendent. And the medals, how could I forget their medals - rows and rows of medals - gallantry medals, campaign medals on the chests of men and women who are some of the pride of our nation. Their role includes training all our bomb disposal servicemen and women. The stage was set for the people of Warwickshire to salute, and cheer and applaud these heroes.

They were greeted by silence. No cheering, no applauding.

The crowd of less than 30 did their best to welcome them as the troops marched through the arch onto the street – their boots hitting the roadway for the first time of the town for which they had just been awarded an accolade seldom seen. An accolade to be celebrated - a moment of pageantry in ‘Historic Warwick’. Silence.

As the band wheeled into Jury Street, imagine the surprise of the gently increasing crowd to see the purple berets of the wonderful band of the Parachute Regiment rather that the magnificent white helmets of the Royal Marines. On the day of the March local papers continued to publicise the presence of the band of the Royal Marines. “I wonder who told them that – the bands will be upset” said the mayor when I rang her at home that morning to discuss my anger regarding 900 out of the 2000 wrist bands giving free access to the ceremony in the castle, still being in the Tourist Information office, the previous day, less than 24 hours before this prestigious event.

The cheering and flag waving did in fact happen, but far too late in my opinion. The peals of the bells of St Mary’s saluted these brave soldiers, as they marched past the War Memorial. My hope is that these soldiers marched with happy and not disappointed hearts.

The traditions of our country are upheld with pomp and ceremony. People in public office enjoy the trappings of such events – the dressing up, the regalia, the civic receptions, the publicity and photographs of themselves. However, those who enjoy the benefits also have to accept the consequences of their actions.

If you see photographs of the event in the press or if you see the Mayor of Warwick sitting on the front row in the photograph of the whole Corps, staged with the magnificent back drop of Warwick Castle – have a look at her shoes. She was wearing shoes which were decorated to resemble the Union flag. Does her office not advise her of military protocol? The Union Flag or Union Jack as it is more commonly known, is never allowed to touch the ground other than in the presence of the British Sovereign? The Right Reverend John Stroyan, Bishop of Warwick, in a very moving address at the Service of Thanksgiving for the troops at St Mary’s Church, quoted ‘The soldier salutes the flag, and it is the flag that drapes his coffin.’ A politician in the robes of office of the Mayor of Warwick, listening to the same address, was wearing a facsimile of ‘the flag’ on her feet.

For all these civic blunders which curtailed the freedom of the public of Warwickshire to come and support the troops, but more importantly, out of respect for the troops of our country, both living and dead - I demand that the Mayor of Warwick resigns.

If she chooses not to, then perhaps she or her successor would like to tell the people of Warwickshire the reasons why.

If there are others of you who share a passion for what I have said, show your respect and support for the British troops, in all the services, and write or email the civic office for the Mayor of Warwick at [email protected] or Jury Street, Warwick, and voice your feelings. This is an occasion when the pen is mightier than the sword. - Judith Sutcliffe, Warwick.