SURVIVAL

BY BERYL PATEMAN

A BATTLE is developing for the future of the town's Holly Holy Day.

The annual commemoration of the Civil War action has become such a high profile event that its organisers feel unable to continue without more help and extra funding.

An appeal to the borough council has so far fallen on stony ground.

The authority has made a community chest contribution to costs in the past.

"But although we have asked them to get more involved. They don't seem interested," said spokesman Ted Edgerton.

"The committee feels that it has become such an important event for the town that it's time other people in the community played a part. It really would be a tragedy if the battle was lost," he added.

The event is one of the highlights of the year for local traders and publicans. It attracts hundreds of visitors.

Members of the Sealed Knot organisation stage a re-enactment of the Battle of Nantwich every year in January.

It commemorates the events of January 25, 1644 when the besieged town was relieved by a Parliamentarian force which had marched south from Lancashire under the command of Sir Thomas Fairfax.

For some years after, townsfolk wore sprigs of holly in their hats in celebration. The tradition lapsed but the commemoration has now been revived with the mock battle and other events leading up to it at the centre of a whole day of special events.

Knot member Colin Bissett said he was disappointed with the frosty reception the council had given the request for help.

"We have never been involved with the organisation of the whole day. We supply the troops and the action but steer clear of the politics," he added.

"We would certainly be upset if it was lost as it has become one of the main events on our calendar," he added.

Business Forum spokesman Dave Hogg also feels the loss of the Day would be a severe blow for the town as a whole.

"Health and safety rules and regulations and the cost of policing are putting a strain on the organisation of such events. We have just found this with the Folk and Roots Festival," he said.

"Holly Holy Day is one of the town's biggest events. Organising it is now harder than ever before. But it will be missed if it folds. For some pubs it is the best trading day of the year, apart from New Year. It will be a major blow to them," he added.

From next month Nantwich will share a new town centre manager with Crewe.

Current leisure officer Elaine Dodd moves over to tackle the job and will certainly face a renewed request for Holly Holy Day help. She is currently spearheading the organisation of this weekend's Carnival.

"I can't comment at the moment as I haven't yet taken over and have no brief on the matter. But resources are tight and so many community events have to rely on voluntary organisers just as the Carnival does." she said.

But borough resources are used for the Carnival and for town councillor Joyce Stockton the authority's reluctance to get involved is just another example of the low priority it is giving to Nantwich.

"Yet again the town's needs are being ignored. It will be tragic if we lose this important event," she added.

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