A local community was horrified after discovering a nearby 'wedding reception' turned out to be much more sinister.
Waltham on the Wolds in Leicestershire is used for a wide variety of events, such as Scout meetings, yoga classes, and, of course, wedding celebrations.
So when a huge group of smartly dressed gents turned up at the venue, no one batted an eyelid.
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However, while residents assumed that the large group were there to witness some nuptials, the truth was a lot darker.
Rather than being there to see two people mark a momentous occasion, these lads were in fact a white supremacist group.
Yep, the 50 or so members were part of a group called Patriotic Alternative, which has been campaigning far and wide with its anti-migrant rhetoric.
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The group had hired the venue for its AGM, something that came as quite a shock to locals.
One resident said: “They were dressed very smartly. It is a traditional village hall that holds Cubs and Scouts meetings and parent and baby sessions, then wedding receptions at the weekend.
“So we just assumed that was what it was. I was speechless when I found out what the event really was. I would be very surprised if the hall would have allowed it had they known.”
While another added: “It just looked like a wedding. It is such a strange place to hold a right-wing convention.”
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Following the revelation, a spokesperson for Waltham on the Wolds said it was unaware the booking had been made by the far-right group.
“It has been brought to our attention today that the group known as ‘Patriotic Alternative’ hired Waltham on the Wolds Village Hall on the 7.10.2023 to host a meeting," they said.
"This is booking was made under an alias that did not alert us to the nature or content of the event.
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“We do not support or affiliate with Patriotic Alternative or any other political group. Waltham on the Wolds Village Hall is a volunteer run charity, and we welcome people from all communities and promote diversity and inclusivity”.
The scout group that uses the venue also issued a statement.
It read: “We were surprised to learn that Patriotic Alternative (PA) held a conference in a hall next to one of our Scout Facilities. The building in which PA met is not owned or operated by the Scout Movement but sits next to one of our existing meeting spaces.
"The PA event was held in the Wolds Village Hall and at no time during their conference did PA access our Scout meeting space. Scouting is a non-political, inclusive organisation that welcomes young people and adults from all faiths and communities across the UK."
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LADbible has contacted Patriotic Alternative for a comment.
Topics: UK News