Following much debate, the Town Council, the Uttoxeter Branch of the Royal British Legion and the local RBL Poppy Appeal are urging members of the public to support the incorporation of an ‘Area of Reflection’ adjacent to the Uttoxeter War Memorial and are seeking ‘Signatures of Support’ to be issued to Staffordshire County Council (and any other relevant Authority).
The proposed ‘Area of Reflection’ would include reinstating, on a permanent basis, the WWI Centenary Commemorative Plaque kindly funded by JCB (as sited during November 2018) plus the siting of two Memorial Benches, the installation of a Silent Soldier Silhouette and additional removable bollards being incorporated to stop the illegal parking.
The Town Council is in the process of submitting a planning application to ESBC for the proposed ‘Area of Reflection’.
The Mayor reported that “following the overwhelming public support in the autumn for the retention of the WWI Centenary Commemorative Plaque, the Council is in the process of submitting a planning application to ESBC for the plaque to be sited on a permanent basis.”
She stated “what better way to say ‘thank you’ to these brave people than to have an area of reflection within the town centre dedicated to their memory.”
The Chair of the Uttoxeter Branch of the Royal British Legion, Philip Hudson stated that “the reinstating of the WWI Centenary Commemorative Plaque and the incorporation of an ‘area of reflection’ is fully supported by the Uttoxeter Branch of the Royal British Legion.”
Mrs Judy Leedham, Uttoxeter Poppy Appeal Organiser said “this would be a great addition to the Market Place as well as a lasting memorial to the fallen. I am sure both locals and visitors to the town will appreciate somewhere to sit and rest and reflect on the loss of so many. Most towns and villages in France have these seating areas and are always well used. It is a great plan and urge people to sign the signature of support.”
The Council is seeking further public consultation and to support their planning application would invite residents to sign the signature of support sheet for the ‘area of reflection’ within the bollarded area located adjacent to the Town War Memorial.
The ‘Signature of Support’ sheets are available at various local shops and at the Town Hall, High Street, Uttoxeter, Staffordshire ST14 7HN available until 3 June 2019.
Alternatively you can log your support by signing the online petition using the following link:-