WITH reference to Brian Forrest’s correspondence (Letters, July 20) regarding Andover’s cenotaph and Over Wallop’s war memorial, I personally don’t have an issue with people sitting respectfully on the steps of a war memorial.

Clearly clambering on such a memorial or urinating, graffitiing (as happened to the WW2 plaques up at St Mary’s) or leaving litter on them is an entirely different matter altogether.

When the cenotaph was removed to the churchyard in the 1950s it soon became clear that it was no safer there that it had allegedly been in the market place, where stallholders were accused of leaving their rubbish on and around its base. And so the railing. which can be seen today, was quickly put up to stop people doing such despicable acts as described above.

When the cenotaph is returned to the High Street I would assume that the railing will go with it to prevent such problems as Mr Forrest outlines from happening.

Perhaps a similar barrier might be used in Over Wallop to protect the memorial if the situation is really is as bad as he describes.

On a separate note, may I pay my respects to the family and friends of Russell Tarrant, who died recently?

I didn’t know Russell personally, but often saw him about town; a larger than life character. He started a campaign to have the cenotaph returned to the High Street way back in the 90s and it is a shame that the wave after wave of inept councillors the borough has had to suffer since then never listened to his wise words.

RIP Mr Tarrant.

Dr Bob Roberts, Millway Road, Andover