READING in the Bolton Evening News on a cold, wet July 8 that property developer Stephen Fitton would casually (that is, if no one minds) like to move Dunscar war memorial somewhere else, as it is rather in the way of him making some more money, could I have slipped through a timewarp and really it was April 1?

All the ingredients for one of those wacky wind-ups were there, but no -- there it was in the planning applications column!

Justifications for this plan are to stop fly tipping (anyone ever seen any? I haven't), young people (what, sitting on the benches? Shameful!) and dog mess (well. . . ).

If building on areas like this solves these problems, look out Egerton Park!

The war memorial and its well-tended gardens give a sense of peace, and also character and identity, to this busy area. At Christmas the park is very picturesque.

If the gardens are visited only on each Remembrance Day, that is fine. That is why they are there. That is why they must stay there.

The memorial is a monument to human sacrifice for others.

I know that the majority of residents in Dunscar, Bromley Cross and Egerton will be deeply opposed to this crazy scheme. If Mr Fitton intends to pursue it, he will need to prepare for the "Mother of all Battles", as someone once put it. There is no doubt that Mr Fitton will lose this one.

F Holstead

Egerton

MONUMENT TO SACRIFICE: A bid to move the Dunscar war memorial has met with opposition