City to get cenotaph on 11.11.2011

The city's first central war memorial is to be a cenotaph.

That is one outcome of a series of meetings surrounding Milton Keynes' lack of a monument to commemorate its war dead.

The Cenotaph Stakeholders' Group, as it is now being called, is looking at unveiling the structure on the symbolic date of November 11, 2011.

Members decided that a cenotaph - an empty tomb without names - would be more appropriate than a traditional war memorial.

The group, which has the support of the Territorial Army, Milton Keynes Council, Royal British Legion, Memorable Order of the Tin Hats, Parks Trust and English Partnerships, is still to consider its site and design.

Several sites have been offered, including the area outside Midsummer Place by Gap, part of City Square, and the fountain in Campbell Park.

Cllr Mike Barry, branch chairman of Newport Pagnell Royal British Legion, said the decision is a significant step.

In October MK NEWS revealed that the first talks were taking place to bring the city a central memorial, with Cllr Sam Crooks proposing it be placed in the city gardens behind the church.

Gavin Anderson, community organiser, said: "It's not about celebrating war, it's about remembering our fallen. We have no central point for public grief.

"When the Queen Mother died, people laid flowers at Marks and Spencer."