Cardiff will once again mark St David’s Day without a road parade for the 10th year as organises claim the council has failed to fork out for street closures.
The National St David’s Day Parade will be held in the capital city on Sunday, bringing traditional music sessions, dancing and other performances in celebration of the patron saint of Wales.
However, organisers say budget cuts mean the parade will once again be confined to the pavements, with insufficient funding to secure the necessary street closures.
A post to the event’s Facebook page read: “Once again due to budget cuts from the Welsh Assembly Government, Cardiff City Council and the Arts Council of Wales this year same as the past number of years as the National St David’s Day Parade Committee can’t afford to fork out on the road closures so we can’t even do the parade on the road.
“We’re going to be doing the parade on the pavement once again this year as we march from Cardiff City Hall into the city centre and then eventually ending at the Hayes outside St David’s Hall same as before.
“The more we get in attendance either partaking in the parade or by simply watching it the better.”
The funding cuts were first introduced in 2016 when the event went ahead despite the council withdrawing its £35,000 contribution, The Cardiffian reported at the time.
It meant organisers were forced to create a different route for the parade as they were left unable to afford road closures themselves.
The National St David’s Day Parade in Cardiff is set to be held on Sunday
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GETTY/MATTHEW HORWOOD
At the time, those taking part in the event described a noticeable drop in attendance, according to The Cardiffian.
Some groups were also said to be unable to make their usual trip to the city as a result of the reduced financial support.
Organisers of Sunday’s parade say the event serves as a chance to “join a dignified and imaginative celebration of Welsh heritage and culture”.
Participants will gather outside Cardiff City Hall from 11am before starting out at midday.
Organisers say the parade will be held on the pavement once again due to budget cuts
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MATT CARDY/GETTY
The procession will travel through the city centre before ending at about 1.30pm when the National Anthem will be sung.
Traditional music sessions are then expected to continue in venues across the city centre.
GB News has contacted Cardiff Council for comment.
