Memorial discussion
Discussion after councillor receives historian’s request
An online poll could be used to gauge public opinion with a view to cleaning the War Memorial in the centre of Blairgowrie.
Events will take place in the Wellmeadow on November 11 and 12 as east Perthshire pays its respects on Remembrance weekend.
And, prior to this year’s commemorations, a local councillor explained he has been approached by a keen amateur historian with a view to possibly sprucing up the poignant local town centre landmark in the future.
Blairgowrie and Glens councillor Bob Brawn told the most recent meeting of Blairgowrie and Rattray Community Council that there were two potential options.
The first would be to have the bronze on the memorial professionally cleaned and a thin layer of special wax applied by experts which would offer an increased level of protection for a period of approximately five years. The alternative would be to use another substance – referred to in a lighthearted manner during the discussion as “a bit more special than Brasso”.
Cllr Brawn did, however, state the finance needed for any imminent project could prove an issue – but added that grant-giving groups such as the War Memorials Trust could be approached in the future.
In the ensuing conversation, it was suggested more than once that any potential sheen on the cleaned memorial might prove unpopular with some.
Cllr Brawn cautioned any wax would be more akin to a transparent covering.
Community council chair Elaine Forrest said any complaints she’d heard about the war memorial in the past related to weeds around its base, as opposed to the condition of its bronze tributes.
However, one member of the public present said: “We need to continue to honour the people who paid the ultimate sacrifice,” before going on to cite the unfavourable image a down-at-heel memorial might present.
Community councillor Morag Young said she appreciated people would have different opinions and suggested a poll on the group’s Facebook page would be an idea in order to canvas opinion.
A council spokesperson later said “options were being considered”.
She added: “The council receives numerous requests every year for the cleaning of war memorials; however, war memorials are supposed to be allowed to age to reflect the passing of time. When a request for cleaning is approved the council would usually engage a specialist cleaning company to ensure there is no risk to the memorial being damaged.”
We need to continue to honour the people who paid the ultimate sacrifice Member of the public