 Totnes is not supporting any Trafalgar celebrations |
A Devon town is not marking the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar because it might offend French people. Totnes councillors said they believed joining commemorations of Lord Nelson's victory over the French and Spanish may upset their twin town Vire in Normandy.
One councillor said it would offend countries which were World War allies.
A series of public events are being held around Britain to mark the bicentenary of the 1805 sea battle, in which Nelson was killed.
'Not offensive'
Councillor Geoff Date said: "The town council decided not to support the Trafalgar celebrations.
"I said I didn't think it was right to celebrate a defeat over the French when they have been our allies in the last two World Wars.
"We felt the place to remember that sort of thing was Remembrance Day."
Fellow town councillor, Bill Reeves, said: "Of course we are proud of our history, but we don't want to go round celebrating the death of thousands."
But another councillor, Pruw Boswell, said she did not find celebrating Trafalgar Day as offensive at all.
"On 4 July 1776, the Americans celebrated their independence from Britain and they continue to celebrate that every year. I'm British and I'm not offended."
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