THE row over the policing of public events was brought into the spotlight again on Sunday - at a service in Ripon Cathedral.
In his sermon at the Mayor's installation service, Canon Keith Punshon compared Ripon to the small city of Echternach in Luxembourg, which this week welcomed tens of thousands of visitors for it's annual festival in honour of its patron saint, Willib
rord - a former Ripon monk.
Canon Punshon flew to Luxembourg this week to speak at the festival but pointed out in his sermon on Sunday that the people of Echternach would not have to 'man a cake stall' to raise money for their procession.
Referring to Ripon's St Wilfrid Procession, Canon Punshon added: "That people have to raise £10,000 to walk on their own roads in their own city is a disgrace that calls into question the values of our leaders."
His comments come following a change in the law which means police are no longer responsible for overseeing road closures at public events.
The new legislation has left many local events such as St Wilfrid's Procession and the Knaresborough Bed Race having to pay private firms to organise road closures.
Speaking of the celebrations in Luxembourg, Canon Punshon said: "The contrast between that and here is bizzare and an affront to our freedom."
