THE PARISH of St Helier was forced to issue an apology today following complaints from Islanders that Christmas Parade marquees had been placed “insensitively” close to the Cenotaph.
A photo of the close-by marquees began circulating on social media on Thursday, attracting hundreds of angry responses from people who decried the placement as “disrespectful”, particularly following Remembrance Day on Tuesday 11 November.
Responding on Friday morning, St Helier’s chief executive Andrew Sugden said: “The Parish of St Helier has a proud history of supporting Remembrance Sunday, Anzac Day, surviving D-Day veterans, as well as Liberation Day – and we did not intend to disrespect the Cenotaph in our preparations for the Christmas Lights Switch on.
“I can confirm that the Parish has now taken advice from the Royal British Legion and adjusted the positioning of the stall tents adjacent to the Cenotaph, along with some further changes, which now satisfy their concerns.
“On a personal note, and as an ex-serviceman, I would like to apologise for the upset this may have caused. It was not intentional, we will learn from it, and next year will be better.”
