A parade of military vehicles which was due to have taken place through Penrith as part of a 1940s weekend next month has been cancelled because of the current situation in Ukraine.
Penrith Town Council voted to call off the parade — but there will still be military vehicles on display at Brougham Hall over the weekend of May 7 and May 8.
Town councillor Valerie Bowen said: “I think a parade of military vehicles through the town at a time like this would be in the worst possible taste.”
Mayor Charlie Shepherd agreed it was not appropriate to put on a military parade under the circumstances. “Peace is a rather more important element of the situation,” he said.
Councillor Scott Jackson said having the vehicles at Brougham would allow people to go to them to see them there.
“It’s an important part of the commemoration, but people having the opportunity to go to military vehicles is a lot different than having military vehicles come into the civic space,” said Mr Jackson.
Event organiser Chris Hallam said: “The essence of all our events is that we look at the historical context. Our aim is actually to give somebody food for thought by the time they leave the venue.”
