Charity Tractor of Lights parade cancelled on police advice

The first ever Tractor of Lights parade through Dartmouth has been cancelled at the last minute following an about-turn from Devon and Cornwall Police.

The charity event, organised by the River Dart Rotary Club, was due to take place on Saturday (14 December), and aimed to raise funds for farmers’ mental health and other Rotary charities.

See also: Tractor runs light up December

Planning for the procession, which involved consultation with the police, began in April, but after new guidance has now been called off.

It is not the first parade to be affected, after the Saltash Christmas Tractor Run in Cornwall was cancelled earlier this month in similar circumstances, sparking rumours that the about-turn might be related to the farmer protests.

“At a meeting on Friday, 6 December, the police said they couldn’t support the event,” said Alan Depledge, president of the River Dart Rotary Club.

“They said, ‘we do not support your event, we strongly advise you do not proceed’ and explained the consequences and risks if we went ahead without their backing.

“As a club we could not risk that, so we made the tough decision to cancel the parade.

“We are extremely disappointed as we won’t raise as much money for the charities we were supporting, but we will hopefully put it on next year.”

Respect

Local farmer David Fletcher was due to take part alongside around 40 others. “The police wonder why nobody has any respect for them,” he said.

“A lot of money has gone into organising the event and people have spent considerable amounts getting lights to put on their tractors.

“A lot of children and families were looking forward to it and will be disappointed that they won’t be able to see the procession.”

Safety aspects 

A statement from the force said: “Devon and Cornwall Police take public safety extremely seriously and have a duty to inform members of the public of certain health and safety aspects when organising any public event.

“At no point has Devon and Cornwall Police advised organisers that the event cannot go ahead.

“Officers have merely pointed out that certain health and safety aspects should be looked at to ensure participants and the public are kept safe.”

Live music and market stalls will still be held as planned at the Royal Avenue Gardens and the Market Square from midday, with tractors on display and a raffle still going ahead.