Talk of the town hall - We must not forget those who gave their lives

Oct 30 2008

By Cllr Marcus Jones, leader of Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council

LAST weekend I attended two very important and extremely well attended community events. On Saturday I was privileged to be involved in the launch of the British Legion poppy appeal and on Sunday I was in attendance to see the dedication of Old Bill in Riversley Park. After nearly two years of work by the members of the Boer War statue steering committee, the waiting was finally over and I am glad to report that the statue looks wonderful in its new home in the sunken garden in Riversley Park. The dedication ceremony on Sunday was very well attended by members of the public and was a fitting tribute, not just to those who fought for their country in the Boer War, but also to the community spirit that has been shown by the people of our borough, without which it would not have been possible to replace Old Bill. Saturday’s poppy appeal launch was also very warmly received by the shoppers in Nuneaton. The appeal run by the British Legion is so important to our brave men and women of our armed forces. Many members of our armed forces who have put their own lives on the line for Queen and country either don’t make it back from conflict or return with injuries that they have to live with for the rest of their lives both physically and mentally. The Royal British Legion do an excellent job in helping those who return from conflict and need help and also helping the families of those who don’t return. I am certainly supporting the appeal. Financially, things are tight for many at present however I sincerely hope that the poppy appeal is well supported by the borough. If the Boer War memorial is anything to go by, I am sure it will be.