"...I think the initial decision to hand out the stuff at a parade wasn't too bright... "
Their refusal to take part certainly should not have led to the demotion of the senior member of the group (with the subsiquent £5000* loss in pay) - that was not a good decision. At most it should have been a reprimand (if that). One qustion. Were there any members of the local council or the Fire and Civil Defence Committee there, in distinctive clothing, being required to take an active part against their will? Hmmm, I thought not.