They say that a week is a long time in politics, well not being a politician I can’t really comment. However, a day at the Chorley Remembers project is never dull.
Take today (Friday, 2nd November). It started early with a combined Chorley Pals Memorial Trustees and Chorley Remembers project team meeting. Discussed everything from progress with the new War Memorial in Astley Park through to who is to manage the project on a day-to-day basis after our Project Manager left earlier in the week, with two month’s to go on her contract. Guess who got the job? No problem, it is a labour of love for me – just like “old times” doing the Pals Memorial in 2010.
Just some of the damage caused to the plinth and benches, believed to have been caused by skateboards or scooters
Came out of the meeting to be told by Chorley Council Officers that there was some damage to the newly refurbished Chorley Pals Memorial site, including the plinth to the memorial itself – apparently it has been caused by skateboarders. I hope people don’t think that every skateboarder is as irresponsible or disrespectful as those who chose to use a war memorial as a playground or to show off their ‘skills’; I thought there were skate parks around the Borough?
Headed home for a brisk walk, then off to a meeting regarding interpretation boards about the Royal Ordnance Factory at Euxton, now the Buckshaw Village. Called in at the War Memorial site in Astley Park just as the contractors were leaving for the weekend; pleased with the progress. Chorley Council staff were taking down our banner at the park entrance, erecting their own to promote the town’s Christmas Lights switch-on (Christmas? not thinking about that, yet). Went to Chorley Library to collect items displayed in the cabinet there during October. Early evening, had a Skype call with our webmaster to Facebook and Tweet the damage story. Ordered a new 0845 telephone number for the charity and project (0845 467 1916), and called it a day – not forgetting to fill in my “Activity Sheet” so that Trustees and the Heritage Lottery Fund can see what I’ve been up to.
Next week beckons, ending with Remembrance Sunday – but that, as they say, is another week; thank goodness I don’t do politics, it could be a long one.
Steve Williams
