Page 10 - February 2016 Issue 301

10 THE NEW COUNTESTHORPE HERALD
asked LCC Officers to set up a meeting for me with Virgin representatives. This has now been amended to Monday 25th January, because they want to bring in ‘Big Guns’. I believe we also need ‘Big Guns’ present. Virgin seemed to have prioritised the Blaby District Council area, where problems now exist. Soon they will move out into all parts of the County. Problems are coming for all.
Best regards, David Jennings.
PARISH COUNCIL
REFUSE WAR
MEMORIAL REQUEST
In August 2015 I wrote an article in the Countesthorpe Herald about the reluctance of the Parish Council to place the name of Sgt Stephen Elliott, Royal Artillery, on the Village War Memorial. Sgt Elliott died in WW1 and is buried in St Sepulchre’s Cemetery in Poona, India , which is a Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) Cemetery. Unfortunately Countesthorpe Parish Council remain adamant that his name should not be engraved on the War Memorial but on a separate Roll of Honour Plaque to be placed in the Church. I have pointed out to the Parish Council that at a Parish Council meeting in March 2007 they recommended that Sgt Elliot’s name be added to the memorial. They have no recollection of this decision and why their recommendation was not subsequently implemented.
The following concerns of the Parish Council have been answered and allayed; •there is no room on the memorial - they have since agreed that there is room
•his name would not be in alphabetical order - this is not an issue
•confirmation that he was a resident of Countesthorpe - birth certificate and
census records provided proving his residency over at least a 14 year period •confirmation that he is a war dead – certificate from CWGC provided. There are no records of cause of death.
•the memorial is a monument which should remain as it is - they have accepted now that names can be added as long as their criteria are met - see below.
Since my involvement with this matter the Parish Council have developed their own criteria for inclusion of additional names on the war memorial which are;
killed in action or dying from subsequent wounds. This goes against the Royal Charter of the CWGC in their remembrance of the 1.7m Commonwealth military personnel who died in WW1 and WW2, which states that all who died in service should be remembered. It has been pointed out to the Parish Council that there are several names rightly on the memorial which do not even fit their own new criteria; a Pte who died after an operation not connected to a wound in WW1 and a Sgt who was killed in a road accident in WW2.
A relative of Sgt Elliot, who lives in Leicester, has specifically requested that his uncles name is rightly placed on the memorial. I am at a loss to understand why the Parish Council should agree to place his name on a plaque in the church but not on the memorial, as this again goes against one of the founding principles of the CWGC, which states that everyone should be treated with uniformity, irrespective of cause of death, rank, race or creed.
In response to an on-line petition, there are 200 signatories who feel the same as I do. If you feel that Sgt Elliot’s name should be placed on the Countesthorpe War Memorial you are asked to email the Parish Manager, Alixe Bates, manager@ countesthorpeparishcouncil.co.uk, copy
FEBRUARY 2016
to me jeremy.prescott@ntlworld.com (to allow me to monitor local responses) giving your views. The Parish Council are the custodians of your War Memorial which like most memorials belong to the people of the village. I urge you to help me right this wrong so that Sgt Elliott can join others of WW1 and WW2 who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their country. Thank you for your support - We will remember them.
Jeremy Prescott
(Lt Col Ret’d - The Royal Anglian Regiment)
PARKING ON THE BANK
Following safety concerns over the road side parking, the Parish Council are to request a meeting with Highways officials to consider reinstating the original parking system.
Whilst this would reduce the number of spaces available, the first priority needs to be safety and the need to reverse into the stream of traffic, without always having sufficient visibility, is a significant concern.
WEDNESDAY CLUB CHRISTMAS LUNCH
On Wednesday December 16th 43 senior citizens sat down to their Christmas Meal. This included all the cooks and helpers who usually prepare the meals on a rota. For this meal, Roast turkey & all the trimmings, Christmas Pudding, tea/coffee and mince pies, all the helpers came together.
Usually the Wednesday meals are served in the downstairs schoolroom of the Methodist Chapel but for this number the upstairs was used – thankfully there is a lift.
The meal was at no cost to the members as it was funded by the “profits” over the year and generous donations from Waitrose, the Co-op, Sainsbury’s and Tesco.
A collection was made for the work of Marie Curie Nurses – this raised £120. Barry Hillyard
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