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North Shields Easter march cancelled over costs

Mar 29 2009 by Coreena Ford, Sunday Sun

Former event organiser, Kathleen Lyons, is upset that the annual Good Friday march in North Shields has been cancelled

CHURCHGOERS in a North town have become victims of the credit crunch after a 100-year-old Easter march was cancelled over costs.

The Churches Together march has been an annual fixture on the Easter calendar in North Shields, North Tyneside, for more than a century, with hundreds of people taking part from around 15 churches and from all religious denominations.

The event — which takes place on Good Friday — has in the past been marshalled by Northumbria Police, who close off three roads in the town centre to traffic, allowing participants to parade along the route.

However, changes in the law mean event organisers now have to fork out cash for necessary road closures to private, specialist companies and the church leaders simply can’t afford to foot the bill, believed to be several hundred pounds.

Reverend Jona Sewell of the Methodist Church in North Shields, said: “It came down to costs and timing. We found out from North Tyneside Council that we would have to pay for a private road closure company so we decided to cancel the march, but plan to bring it back next year.

“The churches feel no animosity towards the council or police, and I understand people are disappointed but we are holding other events.

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