| Experts are today engaged in a race against time to repair a vandalised Fife war memorial i n time for Sunday’s Remembrance Day parade (writes Bruce Fegen).
And whoever is responsible for the damage to the Markinch memorial to those who fell in two world wars was today branded “despicable” by the Royal British Legion and Fife Council.
It was revealed today that the memorial, in a peaceful garden setting in the middle of the town, has been badly damaged by fire. The desecration was discovered by local authority building inspector Alan Houston.
No one yet knows exactly what happened, but one theory is a plastic bin or bread basket was set alight against one of the memorial’s walls.
Stone restoration specialist George Sweeney jnr, from Glenrothes, who was called in by Fife Council to carry out urgent temporary repairs, said he was shocked by what had happened.
He said, “There is extensive damage to one of the plaques bearing the names of some of the local people who died in the wars, although the names are still legible.
“Molten plastic has stuck to the walkway and the heat from the fire has blackened and fractured the stonework.
“Because it’s so close to Sunday, we will only be able to carry out temporary repairs. The full job will require the stonework to be replaced.”
David Moyes, chairman of the local branch of the Royal British Legion, vowed that Sunday’s parade and memorial service would go ahead as planned.
“This is despicable, absolutely disgusting and many of our members will be very upset by what has happened,” he said.
Councillor Jim Brennan, Fife Council’s spokesman for arts and leisure, also described the act of vandalism as despicable.
He said, “No right-thinking person can understand the minds of vandals who would cause damage like this. Do they not recognise the sacrifices made by servicemen and women during wartime to protect their country and our way of life?
“I’d appeal to the people of Markinch to give the police all the help they can in tracking down these vandals.”
Dave Somerville, head of Community Services at Fife Council, joined Councillor Brennan in appealing to the public to help bring the vandals to justice.
He said, “This is another act of vandalism that all agencies in Fife are very concerned about. It is particularly galling when vandals strike in sensitive areas such as graveyards and war memorials.
“But we really need the help of the public to catch whoever is responsible.”
Anyone with information should contact police at Glenrothes on 01592 418600. |
