Can anybody enlighten me as to why there where 2 services held at the cenotaph on sunday morning.. the first one was held at the correct time attended by a handful of  dedicated people .. an announcement was made regarding the absence of the church and  various dignataries... but it was unclear ... the second service was held considerably later at 12.15  attended by i presume all the correct people....  i was a little bit confused to  say the least .. so attended both ...

I too am a little confused,

Surely the whole point of having a war memorial is that on remembrance sunday at the 11th hour people pay their respects to the fallen in conflict at the memorial?

Why therefore was the service in the church at that time? Its a bit like the Queen going to a service in Westminster Abbey then laying wreaths sometime afterwards at the Cenotaph in Whitehall. By all means hold a service of remembrance but hold it at 10am or 12 noon, not at 11am.

I expect this question has been asked before, why have we got two memorials, I refer to the one in the Park and by the Jodrell?

Hmm no reply....... surely somebody must know why remembrance sunday is done the way it is in WB. I feel there must be a good reason as this does break from the normal format of established ceremonies held elsewhere.

Good afternoon.

The Mysterious Man from Madscar isn't backing down in this fight.

He's in the Buxton Advertiser again this week.

As we know Cllr John Swift has gone over the head of Godfrey Claff, who is the HPBC Executive Member responsible for the regeneration of Whaley Park, and has written directly to Simon Baker and Caitlin Bisknell.

A top level meeting has been arranged between Godfrey Claff and Simon Baker and Cllr Swift is hopeful that the planned works in the Memorial Park might be delayed.

Cllr Swift is quoted as saying “ We hope that they will be willing to reschedule the works for the two hours we need the cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday. The Memorial Park was given to the town by the Jodrell family to honour the war dead and we do feel the cenotaph with the names on should be open. We, the younger end, should stand up for those older people that are probably a little bit more frail than ourselves. It's up to us to stand up and be counted.”

It remains to be seen whether Cllr Swift is successful but if previous experience of High Peak Borough Council is anything to go by, they will go through the motions, make sympathetic comments, but will then endorse Glossop Godfrey's original decision and the War Memorial will not be available on Remembrance Sunday.

I hope I am wrong but I feel Cllr Swift may well be flogging a dead horse.

Good evening.

The Mysterious Man from Madscar is not letting go of the Memorial Park Madness and has now got his tape measure out.
It would appear he doesn't believe he is and still thinks he can overturn Glossop Godfrey's decision.

Once more he's in the Buxton Advertiser, this time with an open letter to Simon Baker re: his general reply to the people of Whaley Bridge.

Cllr John Swift wrote:

Your statement that the cenotaph was open last year is correct, but you have obviously not been told that our community was not informed of this. I am intrigued where your information is coming from on such a sensitive issue. Have you made your own enquiries? I am told by the officers involved (High Peak Borough Council and the contractor) that landscaping and footpaths are the main works on the cenotaph side of the Memorial Park.

I have measured the nearest and practically only tree likely to cause problems, it is 15 metres from the cenotaph. A bona fide tree surgeon in tight places uses a device fitted to the tree concerned to lower the branches to the base of the tree. Therefore, why does the cenotaph need to be boarded up? There must be at least 1,000 metres of paths in this part of the park and more than one route to get to the cenotaph. Only one route needs to remain open which we could mark and police.

I am told Simon that you are the boss and can (with a will) make Remembrance Sunday in the Memorial Park happen.




The Mysterious Man from Madscar is certainly showing tremendous passion for this subject and it will be interesting to see what response is received from the Chief Executive of High Peak Borough Council.

Good afternoon.

The Mysterious Man from Madscar is still fighting to get the Cenotaph open on Remembrance Day Sunday.

This week he's been on High Peak Radio where he said “I got involved with this because I think it was about time that some of us younger ones, me being 68, stand up for them, just like all those lads, and some lasses, did all those years ago.”

Cllr John Swift is certainly showing admirable tenacity and we will soon find out whether all his efforts have been worthwhile.