WHY was I stupid enough to think the Remembrance Day ceremony would be different and special this year?

Whatever gave me the idea that instead of the same ritual by the same dignitaries someone would at least call out the names of the brave men who died or at least read out the roll-call from 1921?

Once again it was so obvious that this was the one morning when the right people were seen in the right place using the Cenotaph as a background for public viewing and then it’s “out of sight, out of mind” for the rest of the year!

I noticed the main attractions organised by this town to commemorate the 100 years were held in the Chantry Centre for all and sundry to see and pay their respects whilst our war memorial remains out of sight. It seems like a total contradiction to me or more reason why it should be returned to the High Street for the men to be remembered every day, lest we forget.

I also noticed Cllr David Bateman mentioned last week that the venue has become too small for the event – how right he is. Not only were the public struggling to enter the churchyard via Church Close but the walls were being scaled, meaning people were walking over the tombstones of past Andoverians.

Ron Wood, Bright Street, Andover