A council that removed a memorial bench for a veteran from where his ashes were scattered has defended its decision.
The bench was erected in memory of Royal Marine Corporal Tony Sutcliffe was removed from Baildon Moor, Yorkshire by Bradford Council.
The decision left Sutcliffe's family devastated as they had designed a remembrance bench to be placed where his ashes had been scattered on Baildon Moor, West Yorkshire, in 2021.
Bradford Council expressed their sympathy with his family, however, they said the location on the moor was “contrary to the Council’s adopted memorials policy”.
Tony with LyraScotty's Little SoldiersA Bradford Council spokesperson said: “This wasn’t an easy decision to make and of course we’re very sympathetic to Mr Sutcliffe and his family who would like to honour a loved one with a memorial.
“We took the decision to remove the bench because the location on the moor was contrary to the Council’s adopted Memorials policy, a point which was conveyed to Mr Sutcliffe on a number of occasions.
“We had offered to agree alternative locations on the moor prior to this but the offer was not taken up.
“The policy makes it clear that any unauthorised memorials will be removed and was developed with the support of local Friends Of groups to protect public spaces for the benefit of all.”
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Council leaves family heartbroken as memorial bench for Royal Marine removedScotty's Little Soldiers/WikiCommonsThe spokesperson added: “We had also received complaints but the main impetus for our action was policy driven.
“We’re pleased Mr Sutcliffe has found a more suitable location for the bench and wish him and his family all the best for the future.”
The bench itself has now been moved to Shroggs social and snooker club, formerly The Baildon Soldiers, Sailors, & Airmans' Association in Baildon.
Tony left behind his widow, Kate and his daughter, Lyra, who was seven at the time.
Tony's brother David Sutcliffe, 44, who arranged the tribute, previously said: “I put it up there for my brother.
“He was in the military for 12 years, and he made me promise that if anything ever happened to him, I'd scatter his ashes there and put something there to remember him by.
“I asked for permission from the Council, but never really got anywhere, so we took it into our own hands.”