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Poppy day ramp at Rowley war memorial dubbed an eyseore (From Halesowen News)
Poppy day ramp at Rowley war memorial dubbed an eyseore
9:44am Thursday 17th November 2011
A RAMP and handrail which enabled less able veterans to lay their own poppy wreaths at Sunday’s Remembrance Service at the Rowley Regis cenotaph has been dubbed a “monstrosity which desecrated the listed monument,” by Sandwell’s deputy mayor.
Councillor Ann Shackleton, who was a special guest at the service, also condemned the yellow and black railings and red platform as an “eyesore.”
Rowley councillor Barbara Price claimed many people had complained about the scaffolding for the ramp.
She said: “It is totally inappropriate to have all that scaffolding on such a beautiful war memorial.
“People have been saying it used to be a privilege to walk up the wonderful steps to the war memorial to pay our respects to our war dead.”
Cllr Price, who said £80,000 was spent refurbishing the cenotaph a few years ago, vowed to complain to the council.
But Blackheath Royal British Legion secretary Wayne Parkes was shocked by the criticism and said the councillors had not complained to him.
“It looked stunning. Everyone that spoke to me thought it was great. It made the act of remembrance accessible to those who are less able,” he said, adding “I don’t think anything could have been more worthwhile when you saw the smiles on the faces of those who could get to the top to lay their own wreaths for the first time.
The legion had worked for 10 months to get Sandwell Council to provide the temporary ramp and handrail, which members hope will be used each year.
Cllr Shackleton, who represents Cradley Heath and Old Hill, said local councillors had not been consulted and she would be urging the council to provide “more appropriate” access for the disabled next year.
Poppy day ramp at Rowley war memorial dubbed an eyseore (From Halesowen News)
Poppy day ramp at Rowley war memorial dubbed an eyseore
9:44am Thursday 17th November 2011
A RAMP and handrail which enabled less able veterans to lay their own poppy wreaths at Sunday’s Remembrance Service at the Rowley Regis cenotaph has been dubbed a “monstrosity which desecrated the listed monument,” by Sandwell’s deputy mayor.
Councillor Ann Shackleton, who was a special guest at the service, also condemned the yellow and black railings and red platform as an “eyesore.”
Rowley councillor Barbara Price claimed many people had complained about the scaffolding for the ramp.
She said: “It is totally inappropriate to have all that scaffolding on such a beautiful war memorial.
“People have been saying it used to be a privilege to walk up the wonderful steps to the war memorial to pay our respects to our war dead.”
Cllr Price, who said £80,000 was spent refurbishing the cenotaph a few years ago, vowed to complain to the council.
But Blackheath Royal British Legion secretary Wayne Parkes was shocked by the criticism and said the councillors had not complained to him.
“It looked stunning. Everyone that spoke to me thought it was great. It made the act of remembrance accessible to those who are less able,” he said, adding “I don’t think anything could have been more worthwhile when you saw the smiles on the faces of those who could get to the top to lay their own wreaths for the first time.
The legion had worked for 10 months to get Sandwell Council to provide the temporary ramp and handrail, which members hope will be used each year.
Cllr Shackleton, who represents Cradley Heath and Old Hill, said local councillors had not been consulted and she would be urging the council to provide “more appropriate” access for the disabled next year.
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