News

Narberth: Parking tickets on Remembrance Sunday cause Internet fury

Published

10 years ago

November 8, 2015

Tom Sinclair

Parking ticket on cars at the Town Moor Car Park (Pic Facebook/R Silverstone)

A POST on Facebook criticising Pembrokeshire County Council for issuing parking tickets on Remembrance Sunday has gone viral on Facebook, being shared by 200 people and seen by an estimated 25,000 users this afternoon (Nov 8).

Ruth Silverstone, from Narberth, posted: “A rainy Sunday morning in November, the shops are closed, but the young and old of Narberth have turned out to parade around the town and pay their respects to those who have given their lives in service of others. An ideal opportunity for an enthusiastic parking warden to sweep through the Town Moor Car Park, to catch anybody who hadn’t realised that you need to pay and display on a Sunday.

“Well done Pembrokeshire County Council!”

Dozens of people replied to the post saying that they thought the actions of the Council were disgusting.

Paul Davies said: “I hope the council are proud of this person. I know they have a job to do but they know that cars there today are paying their respects.”

Sally Weale added: “Jobsworths! Disgusting!”

A spokesperson for the council told The Herald on Monday (Nov 9): “Pembrokeshire County Council is mindful of Remembrance Sunday and regrets any distress caused by this issue.

“The car park in Narberth is an all-year round, pay and display car park in which- as in all our car parks – we have to be fair and consistent to all users and for all events.

“Our officers, who oversee on and off-street parking, seven days a week, are unaware of the destination of those who park without buying tickets.

“We appreciate that in this instance many people may have been taking part in the Remembrance Day activity taking place in the town.

“Our civil enforcement officers were aware of this important event and in many instances ensured that those who attended had every assistance with their parking.

“We are unable to pin point those given tickets. But if anyone who was affected feels they have a reason to challenge it, there is an appeals process (see details on the back of the ticket) and the matter will be dealt with accordingly.”

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11 Comments

Tim

November 8, 2015 at 6:05 pm

The fact it was Remembrance Sunday is irrelevant. If you park where you shouldn’t or decide not to pay and display you then deserve a ticket. If this was a normal sunday no one would say anything, but because it’s “Remembrance Sunday” everyone is now going to jump on the “it’s disgusting” island “it’s disrespectful” bandwagon.
Elaine Williams

November 8, 2015 at 6:47 pm

Why would a parking attendant be in Narberth ( a very small rural town ) when the shops are all closed ??
Andrew Lye

November 8, 2015 at 7:29 pm

I am just about to share this on Facebook, Twitter and mail it to THE SUN…..
Carolyn

November 8, 2015 at 8:12 pm

@ Elaine Williams:
They come around every Sunday morning here in Narberth to catch drivers who parked over night. It’s a money making exercise for the council. The one hour bays remain empty all day as the shops are closed but as residents we find it hard to find a place to park. It’s been happening for a few years now. I wonder how much money they have clocked up ?
Gareth

November 8, 2015 at 10:18 pm

@ Tim:
You’re either a parking attendant, a Pembrokeshire county councilor, or a trolling prat.
Pam Jenkins

November 8, 2015 at 10:53 pm

I have attended this parade in Narberth for over ten years and this is the first time ever cars had been ticketed are the council so short of funds that they had to send a traffic warden when in my opinion he should have been on parade in his home town remembering all those people that had died in the wars to give him a place to live today
Tim

November 8, 2015 at 11:01 pm

@gareth none of them. I just have common sense and if I use a car park I pay – check Facebook and you will see lots agree they should have had a ticket. Using Remembrance Sunday as an excuse for not paying is disrespectful. Unfortunately we live in a 24×7 culture, so people work day and night! Only because it’s Sunday it doesn’t mean it’s free. I’m sure this traffic warden didn’t choose to work today, it was the shift they were given. If they did not do their job they would be sacked but then as everyone hates traffic wardens no one would care, except for the mouths he/she feeds.
Suzy

November 9, 2015 at 7:19 am

Remembrance Sunday is special for its own reasons but it shouldn’t be used as an excuse not to buy a parking ticket.

I probably wouldn’t have bought one thinking “no ones going to check on a Sunday” – just like those that got caught out. You take a gamble, sometimes you lose.
Tomos

November 9, 2015 at 9:08 am

@ Tim:
Blimey, what a jobsworth , rules is rules eh? 🙁
Tomos

November 9, 2015 at 9:10 am

Of course this grasping behaviour by PCC shows exactly the morality of the council and explains why town centres are dying
Stephen Gwynne

February 2, 2016 at 1:55 pm

I was ticketed by an overzealous warden on Tuesday 26th January, I am a visitor to the town and paid to park for 5 hours, returning in 3 so plenty of time left and had enjoyed walking around the town on the wettest of days, spending money in the local stores.

I did appeal and was told the bay I used only entitled me to park free for 1 hour, so despite the fact I obviously intended to comply with regulations I have been hit for £25.

My decision sadly is never to return to Narberth as this has left a bad taste, I hope the local traders see this and protest against the appalling behaviour by Pembrokeshire council.

News

Lib Dems call for emergency VAT cut for hospitality as families ‘priced out’

Published

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November 12, 2025

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Under the proposals, VAT would be reduced from 20% to 15% on hospitality, accommodation and visitor attractions. The move would boost struggling high streets and bring down prices for hard-pressed families across Wales.

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The Liberal Democrats say their proposals would give a vital boost to Welsh pubs, restaurants and entertainment venues currently struggling under the “double whammy” of high taxes and falling customer spending.

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David Chadwick, Welsh Liberal Democrat Westminster Spokesperson, said: “People are working with their nose to the grindstone all month and have next to nothing left over after sky-high bills and spiralling food prices.

In years gone by, people could look forward to fish and chips on a Friday or a weekend trip to the cinema. Now those small joys – the ones that make life worth living – are becoming an unaffordable luxury for too many.

High street businesses have been hammered by Labour’s jobs tax, so it’s no wonder so many treasured pubs, restaurants and cafés are closing their doors, taking with them vital jobs and community spaces.

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Our plans to cut VAT on hospitality and energy bills would put £270 back into people’s pockets, making it easier to heat their homes and spend a little more locally. This would help restore our high streets, drive economic growth and give the country a much-needed morale boost.”

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