A slap to the face of those that protect you

I received an appeal at work today from Bexley Borough Council after some mindless vandals decided it would be a lot of fun to remove the brass plaque from the war memorial which featured the names of the borough residents who have lost their lives protecting this country.

Bexley Borough Council have asked that if anyone knows anything that they contact the council on 02083037777 and speak to the Cemeteries Office or call Crime Stoppers on 0800555111.

Leader of the Council Teresa O'Neill said "This is a callous crime. To target a memorial that pays tribute to people from [Bexley] who gave their lives fighting for this country is despicable behaviour. It shows total disrespect for those who died, for their colleagues and relatives who gather at the memorial to remember them and for today's serving armed forces."

I find this kind of crime disgusting at any time but with just a few weeks to go before Remembrance Sunday it would seem particularly repugnant, it also highlights what is for me one of the real issues with our society, a complete lack of respect for our society, after two very publicized incidents in which two university students have urinated on war memorials whilst drunk, and now this (and I doubt these are the only ones) it leaves you wondering if what these brave men and women have given, and continue to give, their lives for is worth saving.

Bexley now with new sponsor

Went out for a lunch time walk from work a few days ago and spotted this sign. It is part of a new series of signs that have gone up around the borough.

When I first saw it I have to admit I thought there was something a bit wrong with having it like this, kind of saying, "Welcome to Bexleyheath, sponsored by Bexletts" but after a little while I thought why not? If it is at all possible, why should each council service not be self funding?

Maybe we could take it to the next step and sell the naming rights to the town hall - the Crawley "Coke" Hall or maybe we shouldn't stop there, maybe it is time to change the signs to "Now entering McDonald's Town, formerly known as Crawley" well perhaps that is a bit far, and could get confusing if we were sponsored by Halifax.

Bexley Council's New Sign

Out on my lunchtime walk in Bexleyheath I noticed that Bexley Coucil had installed a new road sign, however they have made one slight error, the new sign is only viewable from one point standing on the grass, otherwise it is completely blocked from view by the old sign.

I don't know for sure but I would guess if you ask the council you would probably be told that there were different departments for the two different tasks.