This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/west_midlands/7918237.stm
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
St George's Day parade is saved | St George's Day parade is saved |
(2 days later) | |
A businessman has stepped in to save a St George's Day parade in the West Midlands after a local council pulled its funding over racism fears. | A businessman has stepped in to save a St George's Day parade in the West Midlands after a local council pulled its funding over racism fears. |
Last month Sandwell Council said it would not pay for the event on 23 April through West Bromwich. | Last month Sandwell Council said it would not pay for the event on 23 April through West Bromwich. |
It said it had seen footage of last year's event which showed it had been "infiltrated" by the far right. | It said it had seen footage of last year's event which showed it had been "infiltrated" by the far right. |
Local truck company director Chris Kelly has now pledged £10,000 to allow the parade to go ahead. | Local truck company director Chris Kelly has now pledged £10,000 to allow the parade to go ahead. |
The event's organisers, the Stone Cross St George's Day Association, had maintained the parade was not political and not racial. | The event's organisers, the Stone Cross St George's Day Association, had maintained the parade was not political and not racial. |
English flag | English flag |
Mr Kelly, of the Keltruck company, said he came forward after seeing the issue highlighted on the BBC's Politics Show. | Mr Kelly, of the Keltruck company, said he came forward after seeing the issue highlighted on the BBC's Politics Show. |
He said: "If people want to unite behind the English flag then so be it, as far as I'm concerned. | He said: "If people want to unite behind the English flag then so be it, as far as I'm concerned. |
"It's not for a council to decide that." | "It's not for a council to decide that." |
The council had funded the parade for the past five years. | The council had funded the parade for the past five years. |
Leaders at the authority said they had made the decision based on advice from a watchdog. | Leaders at the authority said they had made the decision based on advice from a watchdog. |
The council's scrutiny committee is meeting later to finalise health and safety details for the parade. | The council's scrutiny committee is meeting later to finalise health and safety details for the parade. |
Thousands of people are expected to turn up for the event. | Thousands of people are expected to turn up for the event. |
The council said it would still be spending £38,000 on other St George's Day celebrations this year, including a family fun-day on 18 April and a concert at the Town Hall on 23 April.Advertisement | |
The council said that Chris Kelly's offer was generous |
Previous version
1
Next version