A GLIMMER of hope has been provided for this year’s axed Remembrance Day ceremony at Radnor Street Cemetery.

The annual service was scrapped after the organisers where told they had to take out public liability insurance.

The graveyard in Old Town is the final resting place for 104 war heroes from Swindon and is an official Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery.

But Coun Dave Wood (Lib Dem, Eastcott) has offered to help find funding and act as a sponsor for a grant.

He said: “People must absolutely have the right to run events for the benefit of the community without red tape putting them off.  “I think the council must have said the wrong thing at some point.  “I’ve checked and the services and walks can absolutely happen at Radnor Street cemetery without any red tape.  “These walks and services are hugely valued by the community and I think it’s important that they continue.

“If the group did want to take up public liability insurance for their own protection I would sponsor a council grant for them to get the insurance without having to worry about ongoing fundraising.

“I organise Ghost Walks Of Old Town myself each October and always take out insurance, but it’s by no means mandatory.”

The ceremony had been organised by the Friends Of Radnor Street Cemetery, an unpaid voluntary group whose members have full-time jobs.

The group had run the service, which attracted crowds of 150 people, since 2006, and had been supported by the park ranger service.

But that relationship ended in February, when the parks department was abolished to save thousands of pounds from the council's budget.

The changes, which saw staff transferred to other departments, left the group having to deal with the council directly.

Coun Wood said: “The group isfree to store things in the chapel and hold activities outside in the cemetery, which is where the service takes place.

“However, from my own perspective they would ideally be able to use the chapel as well.

“I have asked the council to set up a meeting with the Friends so access to the chapel can be secured."

The council has said that the group would need to show details of its insurance when carrying out activities in areas of the cemetery which it does not maintain or inspect, which includes the chapel.

“There is a scheme through the council where any community group can apply for money for things like insurance,” Coun Wood said. “I am willing to act as a sponsor for that.”

The service usually takes place on Remembrance Sunday and is attended by veterans, the Scouts and the mayor.