IN an issue close to my heart, I was really very pleased to hear this week that after a long and hard fought campaign, those brave sailors that risked their lives helping to get supplies to Russia during World War Two will finally receive a well deserved medal, The Arctic Convoy Star.

It has been a 15-year ‘battle’ (almost four times as long as they kept the important supply lines open!) for veterans and their supporters, against those in authority with the gift to grant the award, but who were stubborn or ignorant enough to ignore the request, even in the face of overwhelming public support.

What it does show, however, is, that however much these jumped-up bureaucrats try to behave like modern-day King Cnut’s, metaphorically trying to hold back the tide of public opinion, these sorts of campaigns always succeed. And that is because they are morally and justifiably correct.

On a smaller scale to that of the Arctic Convoys Campaign, the same could be said of the ongoing Andover Cenotaph Campaign.

Despite those ‘few' in authority in the town telling us it will never happen, the issue continues to rumble on. And the reason for this? Well like the medal issue, it is because the people want it to happen, and it is the right thing to do.

For that reason, if it takes 15 years or even longer, I hope that the campaign to see the memorial back where it belongs in the high street will continue until it is resolved to the satisfaction of the residents of Andover, one way or the other.

Let’s hope that 2013 will be the year when our local politicians finally listen and we can see a similar resolution for our war memorial as that of the Arctic Convoys.

Bob Roberts, Millway Road, Andover