ALTHOUGH we must live with cutbacks, general belt-tightening and hard decisions for the foreseeable future, we must be careful not to allow these to have a detrimental effect on our “built heritage” which cannot be undone when we emerge into better times.

A good case in point is our war memorials, many of which are feeling the ravages of time after 90 years or so.

Memorials were the only way that a community could honour those who died for our freedom and we cannot let their memory die merely because we have some sacrifices of our own to make.

In just under eight years time the Centenary of the Armistice will be marked. 2018 would be a fitting deadline by which Britain could boast a vibrant heritage of clean, readable and structurally sound war memorials – showing truly that we have “not forgotten”.

Serious money is needed for, where necessary, structural repairs, stonework restoration, cleaning and re-engraving.

The problem is nationwide so ultimately this can only come from Government. The fact that the need has become most evident at a financially tricky time should not detract us from taking the longer view; the alternative would be a betrayal of our recent ancestors – and ourselves.

Visit www.clean2018.moonfruit.com for more details.

RAY THOMPSON, South View Avenue, Brigg