Anger of war memorial move

A DECISION to refuse the siting of a war memorial in the Meridian Centre has angered Peacehaven councillors.

Councillors and the Royal British Legion want to switch the site of the town s war memorial from the church yard of the Church of Ascension, in Bramber Road, to the shopping centre because there is more space.

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Cllr Elaine Lombard explained: Over the years we have received an increasing number of requests to have our war memorial housed in more congenial surroundings. It is well known that our inclement weather can make the memorial service a very cold affair.

There is also not enough room on the memorial s scroll of honour to add the names of all the fallen servicemen who lost their lives.

As a result the town council, with the backing of the Royal British Legion, sent a letter to the managing agents of the Meridian Centre to ask permission for the move.

Cllr Lombard said: Our request has been turned down completely out of hand with no reasonable objections.

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Honouring the fallen is non-denominational and non-political, we, as councillors are many denominational and of various political persuasions, but we reunited in our desire to accommodate, in relative comfort, all who wish to attend this service.

Originally councillors considered a traditional monument-style war memorial but scaled down their plans to a 4ft by 3ft plaque. The cost, to be met by the council and Royal British Legion, has been estimated at up to 9,000.

Peacehaven town clerk John Shepherd said: It was thought that a memorial in the shopping centre would act as a more permanent and constant reminder.

A letter to the council from Philip Thomas of Mellersh and Harding, agents for the Meridian Centre owner Greatline Ltd, said the shopping centre was not an appropriate place for a war memorial.

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The letter stated that Greatline Ltd was very cognizant and appreciative of the sacrifices made by members of the armed services.

However, it continued: Whilst my clients are sympathetic to your needs, they generally feel that the erection of an edifice of this nature in this location is not appropriate, from both a commercial point of view and the war memorial itself.