WORCESTERSHIRE County Council has said it was ‘looking into the options available’ after complaints were made about a badly-placed tree in Bromsgrove High Street obstructing the town’s Odd Fellows Memorial.
The Standard contacted the authority about the position of the tree which was planted as part of the town centre regeneration project after several people voiced their concerns over the issue.
The annual Armistice Day commemorations took place on Saturday, November 11, and attracted large crowds to the memorial which contains the names of those soldiers from Bromsgrove who lost their lives in the First World War.
But many people were unable to see the stone tribute and voiced their frustration afterwards.
And they said they felt for next year’s Armistice Day, which will mark exactly 100 years since the end of the First World War, the Odd Fellows Memorial needed to be clearly on view.
One man said: “They’ve got to get rid of the tree. It is ridiculous.
“I don’t mind the tree itself but it is in the wrong place.
“This section of the High Street has been badly thought out.”
His calls were echoed by Patrick Smith, the chairman of the Bromsgrove Royal British Legion.
“The tree looks fine in the summer when it is green but in the autumn when we commemorate Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday it is a brown eyesore.
“It needs taking out and replacing with something that is 4ft high or smaller.
“Maybe a bush could be planted or something could be put in there to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War.”
Coun Alan Amos, Worcestershire County Council’s Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Highways, said: “We are aware that this tree obstructs the view of the war memorial from certain positions and we apologise for any inconvenience caused during commemoration ceremonies.
“We are currently looking into the available options to ensure the memorial is fully visible to all residents and visitors in Bromsgrove.”
- WHAT do you think? Should the tree be removed? What, if anything, should be put in its place? Email your views to [email protected]
