£700 COUNCIL RECYCLING FEE
I READ with interest two letters printed in last weeks Macclesfield Express, both relating to WW1 commemorations.
The first reflected on the missed opportunity to connect with Macclesfield’s twin town, Eckernforde, Germany; the second to the mural at the rear of the cenotaph at Park Green.
Two years ago I approached Macclesfield Town Council with several proposals for WW1 commemorations, one of which was to rekindle our friendship with Eckernforde.
An exchange trip between youngsters to lay wreaths on local memorials, and a football match between the two towns, were just two of the suggestions put forward.
These, along with many other ideas including the hugely popular poppy display and large maps, were presented to representatives of Cheshire East Council, but unfortunately no support was offered.
A plan to use the derelict land at the back of the cenotaph to construct a WW1 trench, was put forward too, but that proposal was rejected by Cheshire Peaks and Plains last November, with the reason given as ‘development work is likely to begin in June 2018’.
A follow up request for use of the hoardings around the site to be used for a WW1 mural, went unanswered.
Undeterred, this lead directly to the successful Aftermath100 - WW1 Trench and Artwork Exhibition, which was open to the public between January and March this year at Churchill Way.
A fantastic mural has now been added at the rear of the cenotaph by Walt Freudenau, who incidentally, painted the equally fantastic back drop for the WW1 Trench Exhibition. Although many people have worked very hard to produce some fantastic WW1 tributes, I find it a little disappointing that we didn’t not take this golden opportunity to reconnect with Eckernforde, especially in such a poignant year.
I’m also surprised that a Cheshire East Councillor seems completely unaware of these proposals. Trevor Druce Aftermath100 CHESHIRE East Council says all the right things about recycling, but the