A FULL town meeting could be held to discuss the vexed question of whether to move Okehampton's war memorial.
The possibility arose at the town council's annual assembly on Monday after Okehampton branch of the Royal British Legion put the case for moving the memorial from the parish church to a more central position.
Ray Rattenbury, vice-chairman and secretary of the local branch, told the assembly in the Charter Hall:
'The war memorial is in a corner of the parish churchyard — and unless you are given specific instructions you will only find it with difficulty.'
Mr Rattenbury also said 'advancing years', not only of legion members but of other people who attended parades, made the route uphill to the parish church increasingly difficult.
'Why is it when we advertise to "wear your poppy with pride" that we don't show more clearly with pride the names that are on the memorial?'
He proposed it be moved to a central position in the town 'where it can be seen by residents and visitors alike'.
Jeffe Cunliffe was against moving the memorial. He said those walking up to the church were paying tribute to the fallen who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
'I'd still be prepared to walk that distance. When the ex-servicemen are too old to walk it would be nothing to hire a coach to take us up there.'
Mr Cunliffe said if it was moved into the town it would run the risk of being vandalised.
'This has been on the agenda for 25 years and successive mayors — including myself — have said they would do something. Where the memorial is is where it should stay.'
Okehampton Town Mayor Councillor Len Hayward told Mr Rattenbury the town council would give 'due consideration' to the proposal.
'It is a rather controversial issue and something that would need much wider consultation. In my opinion there should be a full town meeting on the issue because everybody should be able to give their views,' he said.
Mr Hayward said it was not a matter that could be resolved 'next month, or this year'. He said a way would have to be found that would enable a sensible solution.
Councillor Ray Vallance told Mr Rattenbury he was confused by the legion's wishes as he understood some members were against a move.
'I don't understand the logic in that some of the Royal British Legion want the war memorial moved and others don't want it moved. You don't seem to be all in agreement.'
Mr Rattenbury replied it had been a majority decision 'arrived at by democratic vote'.