• WE have been campaigning along with the council and with their support we have been trying to identify the root cause of the damage to the 100-year-old Manor Gardens war memorial in the borough.

The Islington Veterans Association (IVA) has been championing this cause for over five years now and some progress has been made. But, as can be imagined, there has been a lot of responsibility-passing with regards to ownership of this issue.

We are now at a stage, with support of Islington Council, that it is now clear what is wrong and its cause; and also what needs to be done to restore the 100-year-old wall, to its former glory (see above).

It is covered with the names of those who fought in World War I.

These people are from the borough, some of whom still have family in Islington.

We are, with help of the council, exploring with the developers and the current owners of the development to try to obtain funding and explain to them the reason the damage has occurred in order to raise some funds to restore the wall.

We are also looking to The Commonwealth War Graves Commission and other charitable organisations to help.

However, like most things, awareness is a massive part of fund-raising and it is clear, because of its location, not many local people are aware of this wall and its significance as a the oldest war memorial in the borough.

The IVA is seeking support to get this wall restored and wish to increase awareness in the wider community.

DENNIS SHARROCKS
London Branch Secretary PWRR Association &
Secretary Islington Veterans Association