Groups upset after council removes remembrance wreaths and messages from war memorials
Groups are dismayed that Cannock Chase Council has removed wreaths, crosses and messages from war memorials in the area.
The items were taken by the council's cleansing department from war memorials in Chadsmoor, Hednesford, Heath Hayes and Wimblebury on Tuesday, January 30 after being placed there in November for Remembrance Day.
Dave Smith, the secretary of the Staffordshire Regimental Association (Hednesford branch) said he has spoken to the Spectrum Residents Association which covers the Moss Road and Kingsway estates in Chadsmoor, shopkeepers in the area and residents in the town, and they were all dismayed.
He said a councillor had told him the policy was for wreaths to be removed within 12 weeks after consultation with the local Royal British Legion (RBL), but there was no branch in the area and the RBL states on its website there is no such policy nationwide.
Mr Smith said: "We see this action not only as disrespect for all the lost souls mentioned on the memorial but also to the many local residents and community groups who took time to attend the remembrance and lay their wreaths and crosses, which I might add are of some considerable cost these days.
