In an article in the Daily Telegraph, it has been reported that a brass band has been forced to abandon a village parade for the first time in 50 years because of dangerous potholes which their local council says it lacks funds to repair.
Harsh reality
In the report by journalist Clare Carter, the council was said to have told the Hartland Town Band from Devon that it is a ‘harsh reality’ they do not have the money to repair roads.
As a result, the band said it would not be able to lead the annual procession through the village this year because of fears its members, many of whom are in their 70s, could end up with broken bones and hips from the badly pitted road surface.
Pull out
Rosalind Toase, (oddly reported as being a ‘frugal’ horn player) said they had no choice but to pull out of the procession, which sees the band march through the streets of the village.
"It's the centenary of the carnival and it's really important the band marches, but for our own safety we've had to pull out," she said.
Wait
Meanwhile, Devon County Council who has responsibility for the roads in the village, said it did not have funds to repair all potholes, and residents (including the band) would have to wait until funding was available.
"More than 12,000 potholes have been reported by the public or found by highway inspectors so far this year," he said.
"It's a harsh reality that the council simply does not have the funds to carry out all the works we would wish."
It's the centenary of the carnival and it's really important the band marches, but for our own safety we've had to pull outHartland Town Band
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