VETERANS have called on Thornbury Town Council not to move a Remembrance garden planted by volunteers.
The council has informed Thornbury & District Royal British Legion that the garden (pictured above), in one of the flower beds by the junction of Rock Street and Bath Road, needs to be moved to another site.
The decision has led to heated debate online, with the council being accused of failing to engage with the volunteers who worked to create the bed before making the decision.
The Remembrance Garden was created last year in one of the beds overlooked by a memorial bench the RBL branch donated, which was installed by the town council in 2022.
RBL members worked on the garden last year, when it was complemented by judges as part of Thornbury in Bloom’s Champion of Champions cup-winning entry to the South West in Bloom competition.
It is intended to remember Armed Forces personnel who died or served in conflict after the Second World War, and includes plants donated by businesses and voluntary groups.
Ahead of the competition the RBL asked to relocate a plough from the bed, which was installed in 2009, in commemoration of Thornbury’s farming history and the role of farmers and Land Girls in the war effort, to make way for a metal ‘Tommy’ statue.
The request was turned down and, after the RBL placed two metal Tommies at either side of the flower bed, the town council, which owns the site and works with Thornbury in Bloom to manage the displays, said the whole display would need to be relocated.
‘Let down’
People on local Facebook groups have criticised the decision, with one resident saying supporters were “aggrieved and let down”.
Thornbury & District Royal British Legion chair Larry Cauchi said: “We’re working with the town council to resolve the matter.
“There’s a strong feeling from the town for the bed to remain where it is, and ideally we would like to stay where we are.
“I’ve had a meeting with the town clerk and deputy, which was very positive.”
Town council statement
The town council issued a statement, which said: “Thornbury Town Council understand the concerns raised over the change in location of the Royal British Legion Remembrance Garden.
“The Town Council have listened to the views and opinions of both Royal British Legion and Thornbury in Bloom, whilst considering the Town Council’s previous commitments and current responsibilities as a landowner.
“It has been concluded that the arrangement at Rock Street does not meet the needs of all involved, and this decision was made at an open council meeting, which the public and all community groups were able to attend should they wish.
“Both community groups are highly valued, and their contributions are widely appreciated. The Town Council are committed to supporting both groups in the great work they do for our community.”
Rock Street site has ‘not worked out’
Thornbury in Bloom said in a statement that it “fully supports the Thornbury RBL in the creation of a Remembrance garden, and always has done”.
The group added: “Although the project at Rock Street has unfortunately not worked out, we understand Thornbury Town Council have offered a number of alternative options.
“We will be delighted to assist the RBL and the Town Council in transitioning the existing plants to the new garden and will continue to offer advice and guidance as required, going forward.”