Wimbledon Marks Remembrance Sunday

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Local landmark now surrounded by grass

The men and women of our Armed Forces were honoured at various Remembrance Sunday services across Merton - including Wimbledon (right).  

The Mayor of Merton, Councillor David Williams, Deputy Lieutenant The Rt Hon Sir John Wheeler, Stephen Hammond MP for Wimbledon and London Assembly member Richard Tracey were among those attending the service at Wimbledon War Memorial along with civic representatives, members of organisations in the borough and members of the Wimbledon branch of the Royal British Legion.

The memorial is once again surrounded by grass after a protest when council staff removed it and replaced it with gravel.

Now the service is over, the council will start a consultation process with local residents and councillors about the garden, including taking on board the offer by locals to help look after the garden

The service at Wimbledon War Memorial was part of a series of services that took place across Merton. Dignitaries, including Deputy Mayor Councillor John Bowcott and MP for Mitcham and Morden Siobhain McDonagh attended a service on Friday at the Clock Tower in Mitcham. Merton Council also held its own service outside the Civic Centre Friday morning.

The Mayor and Deputy Mayor attended different services throughout Merton on Remembrance Sunday including those at Nelson Hospital Forecourt and St Lawrence's Church Morden. Siobhain McDonagh MP also attended the service at Mitcham War Memorial.

Mayor of Merton, Councillor David Williams, said:  "My late father attended many remembrance services with me in Merton. He fought in the tanks at El Alamein 70 years ago and on D-Day and it was touching to see so many people commemorating the bravery of millions of ordinary men and women, including those who also gave their lives, in two World Wars, for the freedom we enjoy today." 

Leader of the council, Councillor Stephen Alambritis, said: "Every year, our community makes a great effort to come together at local remembrance services to pay tribute to our Armed Forces and the sacrifices they made. We should continue to remember those who are still overseas and those who have fallen in more recent conflicts."

November 13, 2012