A BEACON article last week over the neglected state of Chepstow’s memorial gun has been met with outrage by readers.

Since publication detailing that the gun in place in memory of Able Seaman Williams would need to be repaired at a cost of up to £50,000, members of the public formed a group, pledging to clear the weeds and clean the memorial in time for Remembrance Sunday. After this was decided, a council team appeared to clear the weeds yesterday (Tuesday 6th November).

Speaking in response to last week’s article, a council spokesperson said: “Quotations have been received and a contractor to clean the war memorial was appointed at the town council meeting in September – unfortunately they are unable to carry out the work this year but have given an approximate time of March 2019.

“As for the War Memorial Gun, we have instructed a contractor to carry out a conditioning survey in order that a procurement process can begin and grant funding can be applied for. As this memorial is military there are only a small number of specialist contractors who are able to carry out this type of work.

“I am sure that in ideal circumstances all would have been made good in time for Armistice Day however I am afraid this just wasn’t possible.”