Council facing backlash over new War Memorial branded 'a monstrosity'

Angry residents, including former servicemen and relatives of war heroes, have hit out at the design of the Slough War Memorial, in High Street.

It was unveiled last week to mark 100 years since the outbreak of the First World War and remember fallen soldiers from all wars The £25,000 memorial’s design was based on the concept of an eternal flame, but residents say it looks more like a pulled out tooth.

Billy Peck, a Warrant Officer 2 who served in the British Army for 22 years, posted on The Observer Facebook page: “A true monstrosity and the council should hang there heads in shame, no consultation with the residents of the town, no idea what it is and a total waste of tax payers money again.” Others called it a 'disgrace to the fallen’ and 'a horrid eyesore’ that had 'let down those who lost there lives for us’.

Janice Breslin said: “My great uncle lost his life for this country and this is the rubbish Slough Borough Council comes up with. A disgrace, shame on you.” Dean Clark added: “I’m actually embarrassed by it. It’s not a fitting memorial.” The council used sculptor Ian Thomson, and stonemason company Ross Stonecraft for the work and said the only brief was to link to the concept of an eternal flame.

Responding to the criticism, a council spokeswoman said people who have seen the memorial in person are pleased with it and have been 'very supportive’.

She added: “We are proud of the sculpture and the modern look it uses to commemorate conflicts spanning hundreds of years of history.

“However, all art is subjective and there will always be those who do not like what we have done. Despite this we hope they understand the reasons we did it – to provide a new memorial to all those who have given their lives to save ours.” Earlier this year the council sent out letters to gather support for a community fund for the memorial. However it says there was not much response to took on the project, and cost, itself.