Parish Council replaces missing planter at cenotaph

Two new troughs have been purchased for the Alderley Edge War Memorial following the disappearance of one from the front of the cenotaph earlier this month.

Councillors Melanie Connor, Sue Joseph and Duncan Herald were on hand to take delivery of the new stone troughs on Saturday, 26th October, having moved the remaining one of the pair to the back of the war memorial.

The Parish Council purchased the reclaimed planters at a cost of £800 to replace the missing (presumed stolen) trough as soon as possible because Remembrance Sunday is approaching.

Melanie Connor said "So many people are so disappointed that one went missing and we wanted to make the cenotaph look its best for Remembrance Sunday. The British Legion works very hard, especially at this time of year in the village and we must honour the names on the lists - many families still in the village. So getting it sorted quickly was very important.

She added "They are almost a match for the two older ones at the side, and when they are planted up next week they will look lovely, I am sure. They are from the reclamation yard in Nether Alderley and probably very local.

"We wanted to put something in place that was heavy (having moved the remaining one to the back of the cenotaph last week, you have to be strong !!) and would have some provenance. They are very heavy and had to be lifted into place with a hoist, so hopefully they will stay in position for a long time!"

Melanie continued "We're so pleased that the Potting Shed has agreed to fill them, and hopefully they will contain autumn/ winter flowering plants under planted with snow drops for after Christmas and tete a tete daffodils for spring."

Tags:
Alderley Edge Parish Council, Cenotaph, Melanie Connor, War Memorial
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Comments

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.

Sarah Lane
Sunday 27th October 2013 at 2:09 pm
So glad to read this but just can't help being amazed at £800 for two planters. Glad all ready for Remembrance Day.
Duncan Herald
Sunday 27th October 2013 at 7:05 pm
Hi... when I first raised the possibility of doing this, I was pleased that the P.C. agreed... I was tasked with going to garden centres and reclamation yards... I did so and reported back... a majority of the P.C. agreed with me that stone troughs were best as they were too heavy to be stolen and they matched the troughs already present. I found a pair of troughs at 'Arthur Burns and Son' of Nether Alderley.

They quoted a price... when they realised that the troughs were for the war memorial, they straightway dropped their price significantly (without my asking)... when I asked 'The Potting Shed' in the village to plant up the troughs, they stated to me that they would not charge for their time/labour. It is good to see that people put honour and civic responsibility ahead of profit... these are good people.

Sarah... when it comes to paying honour to the war dead, cost just doesn't enter into it; these people died for you and me to be free.

I'd be pleased if people would go look at the troughs... they will be planted up next week, with plants for now + bulbs for the spring.

I'd also like to hear your opinion on what the P.C. have done.
Sarah Lane
Sunday 27th October 2013 at 8:26 pm
Duncan. I know I sound negative but £800 for two troughs just seems very expensive..... and that's at a reduced price! wow.

I am aware these people died for us, have got war medals in the family from a Great Grandad who served and his story is amazing. My children know all about the part he played and have been brought up to respect Rememberance Day and the reasons behind it but is spending so much money on two planters a way to show respect?

I appreciate all the work involved and perhaps everyone else does not have a problem with that amount of money. Maybe buying something so heavy is the only way to stop them being stolen again and perhaps if it stops it happening again it's worth the money.
Duncan Herald
Sunday 27th October 2013 at 8:39 pm
Hi... those who know about troughs of stone tell me that we 'got a steal' so?

I can only repeat; cost is immaterial... if I could out in a gold pair, I would.

The P.C. can afford it (yes, I know its your and my money) so let's hear it from others?

Heavy to stop stealing; you are right... if we ever catch the scum that stole, I'd happily see them enrolled in the army and sent off to the front line! Do you agree?
Sarah Lane
Monday 28th October 2013 at 8:02 am
I would have them in the village stocks first Duncan. :)

(I know we don't have village stocks but if we did)
Diana Bullock
Monday 28th October 2013 at 11:09 am
Yes, stealing a trough is despicable and I commend the Council for the replacement.

In order to raise more funds for the British Legion, why don't you come along to the Tea Dance on Sunday afternoon. We had a very successful dance last year but there has not been one phone call from anyone in the village for tickets. Last year it was mostly people from outside the village who attended. Talk about community spirit! There were not half as many people in the village years ago but we used to fill Belmont Hall with Friday night dances.
Kriss Coombes
Monday 28th October 2013 at 4:26 pm
It may have taken a hoist to place these stone troughs in situ, but I can't imagine how night thieves managed to remove a much bigger one, complete with soil etc. from outside Natwest Bank some 10 or more years ago. However, so far, they haven't returned for the matching one so perhaps they sustained some permanent injuries !!!
David Hadfield
Monday 28th October 2013 at 6:07 pm
Congratulations to Duncan Herald.
I think you've done a wonderful job in sourcing these huge plant pots and arranging for them to be at the Cenotaph in time for Remembrance Sunday ............ Well Done !
Paul Welton
Wednesday 30th October 2013 at 9:27 am
I think it is only right that we should remember thoughs that died for this Country, So thankyou . How low can anyone get to steal from thoughs that gave everything for us ., Our Country .
Duncan Herald
Monday 4th November 2013 at 10:13 am
The two new troughs have now been 'planted up'...mostly with evergreen plants (low maintenance) but using winter pansies for a splash of colour... it is possible that the 'Friends of the Cemetery' will take on the task of maintenance... hope you approve.