Ashby Royal British Legion has reacted angrily to plans which would see this year's Remembrance Sunday service staying at the Bath Grounds - and not returning to the War Memorial in Market Street.

The service was held at the Bath Grounds last year due Covid restrictions being in place.

But even though the rules surrounding Coronavirus have been relaxed, the service is scheduled to go ahead away from the town centre memorial.

Some councillors have also voiced their concerns - one said that occasion was being 'dumbed down'.

Ashby's British Legion has also warned the town could be the only one in the country not to have a service in front of its own war memorial.

Plans to keep the service at the Bath Grounds have been described as 'an insult', while a march past including an 'eyes right' as it passes the memorial is said to be 'demeaning' to those whoLast week's meeting of Ashby de la Zouch Town Council's Events & Entertainment committee saw members of the Royal British Legion voice their concerns.

Groups connected to the service gathered on the Bath Grounds last year - but critics say bad weather could cause problems

However, there was also some support for the idea on safety grounds and a possible rise in Covid infections between now and November.

Ashby Town Council has now agreed to bring forward a meeting of the Remembrance Partnership Planning Group ahead of the next Events and Entertainment committee in September, where a final decision is expected to be made.

But the chair of Ashby Royal British Legion, Valerie Gale, says that she assumed the service would return to Market Street following last year's Covid-enforced move to the Bath Grounds.

She said: "I'm not in the least bit happy about it, we all thought it was a temporary thing last year due to Covid.

"It was a perfect place for it last year I've got no problem with that it went extremely well.

"My point is we're now going to march past the memorial itself, and do an 'eyes right' without stopping. How demeaning is that to the people of Ashby and those who gave their lives for us?

"It's dreadful, appalling, the British Legion went to the town council meeting on Monday night to have a go about this.

"To change the whole thing is crazy. We'd be the only town in the whole country that doesn't go to its War Memorial on Remembrance Sunday. I think it's outrageous.

"This is for people to remember people who have died. Nothing else matters. I'm apoplectic with rage.

"I never thought for one minute they would do this to us.

"It's an insult to the people who died. I'm very much against this.

"We have another problem as well if it's bad weather, the Bath Grounds will get very muddy and there are no disability facilities.

"It's also a wonderful spectacle when the service is held in market Street, we have around 3,000 people attending.

"That's wonderful, something Ashby should be proud of.

"And yet they're trying to hijack it, it's not on.

"People will have to lay wreaths when they're ready, when they've got time, and that's not on."

Cllr Mary Tuckey said at last week's committee meeting: "Ashby has a great tradition of laying wreaths at the War Memorial, that's why it was built, that's what it's for.

"I thought last year was a temporary measure.

"It worked very well. But Remembrance Sunday is a victim of its own success, it's organised well.

"Ashby has got it right. Are we not demeaning everything about it by having it on the Bath Grounds. I'm very concerned.

"The Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire was not happy last year, and I told her it was a temporary measure.

"I would like to see it as we've done it before. I think it's wrong."

Cllr Graham Allman said this week: "This is looks like Ashby is 'dumbing down' its Remembrance Day service by keeping it at the Bath Grounds.

"The Market Street service by the War Memorial is probably the highlight of the year in Ashby as it attracts thousands of people.

"I would like to see it as we've done it before. I think it's wrong."

"I share Valerie's concerns that the Bath Grounds would be too muddy if there is rain on the day.

"But I am also concerned that an outside local company was allowed to have a say during last Monday's Events & Entertainments committee meeting in terms of where the service should be held, which could be considered as a conflict of interest.

"As well as that, I find it concerning that the chair of this council committee did not attend some of the meetings connected with the organisation of the Remembrance Day service."

In response, Ashby Town Council's town centre manager, Stuart Benson, issued a response which reads: "There is a Remembrance Partnership Planning Group who meet in March, June and September each year and a wash up meeting in November/December. 

"The Town Council were congratulated on the organisation at the Bath Grounds last year and the planning group thought it worked really well - and were happy to continue this for 2022. 

"This was a group discussion, those involved are Leicestershire Police,Guides, Scouts, St Helen's, Holy Trinity, Radar Event Services, Ashby Royal British Legion, Leicestershire 4x4 and the Town Council. 

"I will happily organise whatever the group sees fit to decide upon.

The issue was debated at last week's Ashby de la Zouch Town Council meeting. Photo: Instantstreetview.com

"Three members of the Royal British Legion Ashby Branch were in the public gallery for the Events Committee meeting. 

"The President of the RBL Branch pointed out that the arrangements in place for last year with a truncated Service of Remembrance on the Bath Grounds was due to post-Covid restrictions being in place and would not be appropriate going forward. 

"The Chairman of the RBL Branch said that it would be disrespectful to those who had given their lives for their country to march past the War Memorial without laying a wreath. 

"They were not happy with the arrangements which have been proposed for 2022 by the Ashby Remembrance Partnership Planning Group.

"The Town Centre Manager was directed to bring forward the date of the next Planning Group meeting to enable a further discussion on this matter then bring it back at the next meeting of the Events Committee which is scheduled for September 12.

"We will continue to observe any government guidance that may be in place at the time and ensure that public safety remains a priority. (The Church services will not be affected by any changes)."