IN RESPONSE to the letter ‘Change Format’ (November 13) after the Remembrance Parade on November 10.

Firstly, I would like to start by saying a very big thank-you to everyone who supported this year’s parade and apologies for the delay in the response – as I am sure you will understand, it takes time to investigate fully and prepare a response.

Bromsgrove does conduct its act of remembrance at 11am in line with the majority of the UK and in line with the Cenotaph in London. The format of the parade has been very similar for at least the last 12 years. We start at 10.10am on High Street and the second act of remembrance for personnel who do not wish to attend the church service.

The parade is a civic parade and as such comes under the jurisdiction of the civic head and the members of the local council, together with the local clergy.

The Royal British Legion, as laid down in the Royal Charter, are: “The National Custodian of Remembrance” and its role is to assist in the running of the event and ensure protocol is adhered to. The protocol states the act of remembrance must be carried out at either a memorial listing the names of the fallen, or a list of wars and campaigns where members of the armed forces paid the ultimate sacrifice.

That is why the 11am act of remembrance cannot take place at either the Burma Star Campaign Memorial or the Bromsgrove Armed Forces monument.

PATRICK SMITH Chairman, Bromsgrove Royal British Legion