Thanks Phil. I don't believe that this has anything to do with the Legion - and asking them is dragging them into something which should first of all be dealt with by the school.I tried this a few years ago with the car park banner and didn't get very far. The message came back that the Head thought they could do as they wished. The Fortress told them they couldn't and they should take it down as it was up too long and was abusing the normal time limits for temporary advertising of events. They also added that the school could apply for planning permission - and the last thing I heard was that they intended to do just that - my impression was that they were taking the view that THEY couldn't be told. Respect didn't come into it in the slightest.My impression after this was that they just carried on, ignoring the status of the area overlooking the memorial.The banner, which then rotted, (most of the time you could not read the old one as it was torn and had folded over itself) was then replaced with a new one.Now they have started adding the Christmas banner.I would personally like them to stop advertising overlooking the memorial. Sitting at the junction and looking up at the traffic lights and watching the road at this dangerous junction is not aided by working out when the Christmas event is, what I might be doing on that day and thinking about whether I want to go. The number of instances where drivers go through these lights on red appears to be increasing – I followed a bus along South Street the other evening and he completely ignored the red light and edged forwards so far that the drivers to the right, who had right of way, stopped and let him get on with it. He blocked the road and then turned through the red light. Changing lanes for Rugby car parking at this late point is also not a good idea in the busy match traffic! Most of the essential advertising for the bazaar will be through their newsletters and maybe aided by jogging memories nearer to the event – and they have ample advertising space further along they can use.If banning the banners can't be achieved then I would definitely like the school to remove their assortment of banners near to the memorial during the few Sundays around remembrance Sunday and for any other respectful mourning times.My other concern now is that after the Christmas Bazaar the one advertising houses will move to this 'prominent' position unless somebody sensibly discusses the issue with the school.I am disappointed that this had to be explained to the school - but religious of not, money seems to rule these days.Has anyone asked if the timetable of works on the wall could be speeded up to be completed or the area tidied for the Sunday?I understand that the Community donated for the area to be renovated out of respect for the memorial and what it stands for.
Sarah Felstead ● 7133d