Mayor snubbed over student parade

The Mayor of Charnwood has been told he is not welcome at his own parade, which is run by Loughborough University Rag Committee, after a row over assistance.

In September it was feared the mayor's parade, run for almost 90 years, would not go ahead when police said they could not patrol it.

The Rag Committee wrote to the mayor's office asking for help but said they heard nothing.

Mayor Stephen Campbell said he was disappointed at the decision.

In a statement, Mr Campbell said: "I am disappointed this [lack of invitation] has been reported because of a lack of support from me and my office.

"When the issue was first brought to my attention, it appeared the Students' Union had not requested the necessary orders from the police to ensure the parade could take place.

"As a result of intervention [from the mayoral office], the leader of the council undertook a series of meetings with the police and the Students' Union to find a way forward."

Lack of support

Loughborough Town Partnership and Loughborough University will pay for the event due to take place on Saturday.

Rag chairwoman Steph Davenport said she was sticking to her decision.

"We had some issues with the parade. The police, due to a change in policy, will no longer be able to do the road closures for us so we contacted the mayor's office for some help but we heard nothing and haven't had any help in the slightest.

"But if we can iron out some of the problems we've had this year, I think the mayor will definitely be invited next year."

Organisers have had to find more than £3,000 to pay for a traffic management company to help close the roads.

All proceeds will go to the mayor's charity, Age Concern Leicestershire and Rutland.