THE story of Madge Covey, who was told she was too old to get insurance to cover her carrying the Royal British Legion Women's Section standard on parades, which was broken by the WWN on Wednesday, has gone national.

Madge, a familiar sight at the head of Remembrance Day parades in and around Wellington for the last ten years, has been told she can no longer carry out the duty because she is too old to get insurance.

Speaking from her home Victoria Street in the town earlier this week, Madge, 87, told the WWN: "I have shed tears over this.

"It's just come out of the blue. I was handed a bunch of flowers by the RBL county secretary, Monica Summers, and told I would not be carrying the standard again."

Her last duty was to carry the standard at the Armistice parade in the town centre on November 11, alongside Brian Summers, who carried the standard for Wellington RBL.

She said the bombshell came at the annual meeting of the Wellington RBL Women's Section, of which she is charman.

"They said I had been carrying the standard for two years without insurance, since I was 85.

"I'm very upset about this. It has come as a shock. I had no idea it was going happen.

"I was so upset I didn't have much of a chance to say anything, and I admit I shed a few tears when I got home."

Now, the position of standard bearer is vacant, with no obvious successor.

She added: "Nobody discussed this with me beforehand.

"There's nobody in the Wellington Club who can do the job.

"I've asked at Wellington School if anyone in the CCF could take on the duty, but because the youngsters there go to university at the end of their studies at Welington, that would mean recruiting someone every year.

"I don't feel unable to carry the standard.

"I have been very proud to represent Wellington at special occasions and I would like to thank the people of the town for their support over the years.

"It's been such a priviledge, but I suppose I will just have to take this on the chin."

Madge, who has been a member of the Wellington Women's Section since 1974, is also the Pearly Queen in Wellington Carnival.

Monica Summers said on Monday: "We do appreciate what Madge has done for us, but headquarters instructions state that standard bearers now have to comply with a set of rules.

"Sadly, she is two years over the age limit and is therefore no longer insured, and in light of safety for herself and the public we have had to comply."

She added: "She was presented with a boquet as a recognition of her years of service.

"The branch is now looking for a replacement."