The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Council to act after state of paving at war memorial criticised
Black Watch Association chairman describes it as ‘a slap in the face to old soldiers’
The state of paving around Kirkcaldy’s war memorial has been branded “a slap in the face to old soldiers”.
Fife Council has pledged to carry out repairs following comments from a veteran about potholes and damaged tarmac.
Rob Scott, chairman of the local Black Watch Association, fears old soldiers could trip as they pay their respects to fallen comrades at the memorial gardens.
He said the state of the gardens is also disrespectful to families who lost loved ones in the many conflicts represented on the memorial.
“We’re only five months away from remembrance Sunday and the last thing we want is people turning up in their droves and saying what a state.
“We also don’t want people tripping up during the parade through the gardens.”
He added: “I’m sure it wouldn’t take a lot to fill in these potholes. It would just be a case of patching them. This is a memorial and it’s a slap in the face to old soldiers if it’s not kept properly.”
Mr Scott, who lives in Methil, said many families treat the memorial as a substitute grave for those lost or buried abroad.
“It should be kept to a fairly reasonable standard of tidiness and repair so somebody should be doing something about it.”
Councillor Neil Crooks, chairman of Kirkcaldy area committee, said the town took great pride in the memorial gardens.
“When something like this is brought up we make sure it’s acted upon,” he said.
“The last thing we want is for the memorial gardens not to look their best.”
He added: “They usually look immaculate but if there’s a problem we will take it seriously.”
Fife Council thanked Mr Scott for bringing the latest issue to their attention and said any necessary repairs would be made.
Service manager Damien Woods said: “We are very grateful that this has been brought to our attention and we will look into the state of repair on the path and put in place any repairs which are necessary.”
It should be kept to a fairly reasonable standard of tidiness and repair so somebody should be doing something about it. ROB SCOTT