Wimborne Militia will fire muskets for Save the Children's parade (From Bournemouth Echo)

Wimborne Militia will fire muskets for Save the Children's parade

6:10pm Monday 8th December 2008

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A VOLLEY of musket fire, banished from a Christmas lights switch on last month because it scared children, will take place on Saturday – at the same town’s Save the Children parade.

There was public outcry when the Wimborne Militia were banned from firing their muskets at the Christmas event last month.

Scores of angry residents contacted the Daily Echo, levelling charges at the town council of mollycoddling and health and safety gone mad.

Militia members, who re-enact traditions dating back to the 17th century, had carried out the custom of “scouring” the tree, a ritual to scare away spirits, for years.

Town mayor Cllr Robin Cook stressed the decision to include musketfire during Saturday’s town centre parade – hailed a victory by the militia men – was taken by Save the Children organisers, not the town council.

He added: “Decisions whether or not to have the militia fire muskets are taken on an individual basis by individual organisations. The militia are popular in Wimborne and have taken part in the Save the Children parade for years.

“This does prove the militia are not being driven out of Wimborne on a tide of emotion.”

Town crier and militia member Chris Brown said: “Following our cancellation at the Christmas lights and the reaction that decision got, I think the feeling was we should be allowed to fire the muskets if that is what the public wanted.

“After the Christmas lights decision I received letters of support from around the country – only two people contacted me supporting the ban.

“It seemed I couldn’t walk five yards without people stopping and saying it was a ridiculous idea to stop it.”

Substantial crowds are expected when the militia parade through the town centre onto the Minster Green, at 4.15pm, then fire a volley.

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