News - New Mansfield’s Heroes Memorial to servicemen killed in action vandalised four days after unveiling

A 13-year-old girl is being questioned by police after a new war memorial to the memory of men and women from Mansfield who have been killed in action since the end of WWII was vandalised less than a week after being blessed and opened.

Police said on Thursday afternoon that no-one has been arrested and police enquiries are continuing.

Trustees of the Mansfield’s Heroes Memorial Fund, the charity which built the memorial through public donations, are offering a reward leading to the prosecution of any of the six people who wrote their names on the memorial wall.

“This act of total disrespect for the families of the men named on the wall and for the sacrifice the men paid is utterly disgusting and sickening. Only last weekend families of all seven men killed in action while serving their country stood proudly with hundreds of others from Mansfield to pay their respects.

“The ignorance of these vandals beggars belief; as does their stupidity in writing their own names. There cannot be many groups of friends with the same names so we are calling on the public to come forward and name them.

“Mansfield District Council has already said it will issue Fixed Penalty Notices to anyone identified of this vile vandalism This cannot be tolerated which is why we are offering a reward for the identification and prosecution of the six people,” said a Heroes Fund spokesman.

The six names scrawled on the wall are: Anna, Bailey, Holly, Meg, Mia and Mollie. Anyone who can identify the six names in confidence should call 01623 638 023.

Mansfield’s Heroes Memorial was built using money raised by the people of Mansfield and has received praise from many quarters, with Col Keith Seddon of the Mercian Regiment saying it is something the whole of which the whole of Mansfield should be proud. The opening ceremony, on Armed Services Day, was attended by representatives from all three armed services, the

Merchant Navy and six different regiments along with several hundred members of the public.

The vandals also drew a cross and ‘RIP’ slogan on the wall. “We hope that the six will feel enough shame to step forward and apologise but if they don’t and we find out who they are, then we will certainly pass the names on to the police,” said a Heroes Fund spokesman.

From: http://www.chad.co.uk/news/update_16_40_new_mansfield_s_heroes_memorial_to_servicemen_killed_in_action_vandalised_four_days_after_unveiling_1_3527749

News - War memorial plaque stolen from Mansfield park

A World War One memorial plaque has been stolen from a Nottinghamshire park.

The inscribed metal plaque, dedicated to local people who died in the First World War, was taken from Carr Bank Park, Mansfield.

Police said it was stolen some time between 1930 BST on Monday and 0745 BST on Tuesday.

The plaque has been in place since the memorial - which is now a listed structure - was unveiled in 1921.

Tim Downes, parks and open spaces manager at Mansfield District Council, said: "Any crime aimed at public property is sad but a theft from a war memorial is especially deplorable and sickening.

"The memorial pays homage to local people who gave their lives for our country in the First World War.

"Whoever has committed this act has shown utter contempt for their sacrifice and we would appeal to the conscience of anyone involved or anyone who comes across the plaque to inform the police immediately."

Nottinghamshire Police has appealed for anyone with any information to contact them.

From: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-13131876

This is the third one to be attacked in the last year - I'd suggest everyone should keep an eagle eye on our precious war memorials and report anything suspicious immediatly to the police.

Other thefts include:
Barr Beacon, West Midlands March 2010



Broughton, Shropshire April 2011


Denaby Main, South Yorkshire 2010


Carlton-in-Lindrick, Nottinghamshire 2011


London, Palmers Green August 2009


Manchester, Philips Park, November 2010 – caught but judge gave community sentence!


Mansfield, Nottinghamshire April 2011


Newburn, Tyne & Wear, ?


Nuneaton, Warwickshire 2006


Plymouth Hoe, Devon July 2008


River, Kent April 2011


Stocksfield, Northumberland ?


Tayport, Fife October 2010

News - Company told to move container (Mansfield Woodhouse Conservation Area)

AN industrial company has been told to move a steel container after putting it on land in a historical conservation area without permission.

C&D Group laid concrete then placed the unauthorised container on land for which it did not have planning permission together with some large steel gates, which prompted complaints from residents.

The company, which deals with the removal of asbestos, has now asked the council to approve its plans retrospectively.

Several trees and some bushes were cleared from the site on Ley Lane, Mansfield Woodhouse, to make way for the storage area which the company moved onto after being granted permission to extend buildings on its nearby Portland Street site.

Eight letters of objection were received from residents in the area on the following grounds:Trees and bushes on site had been felled,It was unclear whether the developers owned the land, The site would be used for the storage of asbestos, There were listed buildings in the area, It was an unauthorised development.

At a Mansfield District Council planning committee meeting Sheila Mcfarlane, of Ley Lane, said the land which was not registered to anyone, on which the container was placed was separate to the company’s Portland Street site and should not have been put there.

Said Sheila: “I am dismayed and the development should not have happened. They have already done the damage and this retrospective application is to put the damage right.

“This is a quick fix to put bad planning right. It should go to a more suitable industrial site.”

Nottinghamshire County Councillor Joyce Bosnjak, member for Mansfield North, said the storage container was put on site without consent and should be removed and the trees which had been destroyed should be replaced.

Speaking outside the meeting, Coun Bosnjak said she was concerned about the number of retrospective applications being submitted. “They do what they want then they apply for permission afterwards.

“This is a big company who should know the rules so to put up gates and a concrete base without permission is appalling,” she said.

Permission for the container was refused as it was not in keeping with the character of the area but councillors voted to approve the access gates with the condition that a speed hump be placed on the site behind them to keep traffic under control.

C&D Group declined to comment.

From: http://www.chad.co.uk/news/local/company_told_to_move_container_1_3229968