Following the report in this week's Forester, and before it gets further out of hand, may I please have the opportunity of putting the record straight on the so called desecration of the war memorial at Forest Church?

As the Secretary, Treasurer, and holder of other unofficial positions at Drybrook Branch R.B.L. it has fallen to me to prepare the memorial for Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day - somebody has to do it.

This includes removing last year's wreaths, checking the wreath racks, arranging to get the hedge trimmed so that nobody gets a briar around their "earholes", sprinkling gravel on the grass steps, and cleaning around the kerbline so that it all looks "spick and span" on the day.

I usually get this done on the last Friday and Saturday. However, as I was going into hospital and would be out of circulation during Remembrance Week I quietly started the preparations a week in advance. Hence the "disappearance" of the wreaths.

I retained the Polish Air Force wreath in safe keeping in case it was not renewed this year.

I am also "guilty" of taking away the wooden poppy crosses in the spring to allow the grass to be cut; and when required, cleaning the stone cross, and cleaning and painting the railings.

No doubt the trolls on Facebook have had a field day at my expense. I take no offence and will continue to do what I do (unless someone else wants to take it on) and, hopefully, at 2014 Remembrance Time there will be no "crossed wires".

I am as disgusted as everyone else at the theft of the flagpole. I would add that I assisted in erecting it (just another backroom job for me).

Eric Nicholls

Harrow Hill