Park move ‘degrading’ to war lost

Refusing to sign over a village park to a group memorialising the First World War risks “degrading” those who died, politicians have been warned.

Councillors voted last week against Dempster Park in the Angus village of Letham joining the UK-wide Centenary Field’s initiative.

Charity Fields in Trust is working with the British Legion and PoppyScotland to protect parks in memory of those who lost their lives during the Great War.

Montrose SNP councillor Bill Duff said handing control of the park’s future to the charity would “blight” the councilowned “asset”.

Lorna Bruce, treasurer of Kirriemuir Landward East Community Council, said: “I think this is just an appalling decision by the full meeting.

“The language used is degrading to the people that were lost in the war.”

Council officials had earlier warned the transfer would mean the park “could not be sold or developed in any way” without the charity’s permission.

Mr Duff said: “Our responsibilities as elected members are to look after the assets of the council. Dempster Park in Letham is one such asset.

“We have full unencumbered rights and use for this asset at present. Taking actions as outlined in the paper will give a third party, Fields in Trust – over which we have no control – the right to restrict the free actions of this council, with no consideration to us.

“That is not a rational decision for the council to take. If we want to commemorate the First World War, or other event, then we can take that decision ourselves without involving a third party and without blighting our asset.”

The park was chosen for the Centenary Fields initiative as it is home to the village’s war memorial.