Martin Kirk of the Islington Veterans’ Association

THE chair of the Islington Veterans’ Association (IVA) has accused the council of being “dictatorial”, adding that veterans have been left feeling “disappointed” over this year’s Remembrance Sunday plans.

Martin Kirk, who has held his position as chair for five years, told the Tribune that the group felt there had been a lack of “engagement” from the council over a series of ongoing issues.

Changes to the usual Remembrance Sunday plans were decided “without consultation”, Mr Kirk said. The council disputes these claims.

The usual schedule and location of tea and cakes with the council was changed, Mr Kirk said, causing travel difficulties for many of the veterans involved.

Speaking to the Tribune, he said: “It was autocratic, there was no consultation, they just told us that’s what would be happening, even though for the last five or 10 years we have had our meetings at the library and not the Town Hall.

“It just feels like they are not upholding their commitment to the military covenant and the armed forces covenant. They’re not really engaging with us and decided things on our behalf.”

During Sunday’s Rem­embrance commemorations, the group told the council they felt disappointed with the changes, as well as a series of ongoing issues.

Mr Kirk said changes to Town Hall staff have seen engagement worsen. He added that the council’s Armed Forces Champion, Cllr Troy Gallagher, often does not turn up to meetings.

He said the group have been going “backwards and forwards” with the council for nearly four years to carry out essential repair works on the Arches memorial in Manor Gardens, Tollington.

He said that as it is over 100 years old, many of the names have become illegible, and the council had made a commitment to repair it ahead of the centenary next year.

Council representatives told the IVA that the works would cost upwards of £150,000, but Mr Kirk said the group have found alternative options to complete the works for a cheaper cost.

He added: “We’d like to know the council’s current position and their stance on what is happening with the memorial, given it is just a year now to the centenary. What are the council going to do to assure the community, not just veterans, that they take this seriously?

“We have found a fully qualified and experienced grave restorer who said he would do the works free of cost if we covered accommodation. So will the council explore all options, which could potentially save the taxpayer a lot of money?”

An Islington Council spokesperson said: “Remembrance Sunday is one of the most important dates in the borough’s civic calendar, and an opportunity for us to come together in gratitude and reflection, to honour all those who have served in the Armed Forces.

“It is simply not accurate to suggest that the council does not engage with the Islington Veterans’ Association. Council officers and elected members have met regularly with representatives of the association over a number of years, including in relation to this year’s arrangements and longer-term issues affecting veterans in the borough.

“In addition, we have set up the Islington Armed Forces Network to increase engagement between the council and armed forces, including veterans, in order to strengthen commitment and collaboration. The council must balance operational, safety and accessibility considerations.

“While we recognise that not everyone will agree with every decision taken, suggestions that the process was ‘autocratic’ or ‘dictatorial’ are wholly misplaced and inappropriate.

“We remain committed to working constructively with the Islington Veterans’ Association – including on the repairs to the Arches – and all those who contribute to supporting veterans in Islington.”

Special tribute is paid to ethnic minority soldiers

Cllr Valerie Bossman-Quarshie, who represents the Bunhill Ward, laid a wreath at the Manor Gardens Arches

A COUNCILLOR laid a special black rose wreath as part of Islington’s Remembrance Sunday commemorations, in recognition of ethnic minorities who lost their lives during world wars, writes Finn Logue.

Councillor Valerie Bossman-Quarshie, who represents the Bunhill Ward, laid the wreath at the Manor Gardens Arches to pay respects to black soldiers who died during the world wars.

Speaking to the Tribune, she said: “I felt it was time for me to lay something in Islington North for the first time, because I’m all about representation. The black rose wreath is really important because it talks about the soldiers that we never got to speak about or give commemoration for. When I was at school, I never knew about the black soldiers, I was never taught about them.

“I am born and bred in north Islington, I went to school here and grew up here. So it means so much to me to lay the wreath as the black girl who went to Christ the King school.”

Across both world wars, the British empire mobilised millions of troops from across their colonies to fight.

Cllr Bossman-Quarshie said that this under-appreciated part of British military history should be taught about in schools, and brought alongside the annual commemorations. Ceremonies took place across the borough on Remembrance Sunday, as veterans, residents and councillors paid respect to soldiers who had lost their lives.