John Mann MP - 9 May 2008

Worksop Guardian: 9 May 2008

I have heard whisper of a desire by someone in authority to build a huge symbolic statue in Bassetlaw, visible from the A1. No doubt we will get the usual denials from those whose imagination would never stretch so far in the first place. But someone has certainly discussed the idea, hence I hear the whisper.

The North East had the Angel of the North, and it worked well. But others are rather a disaster. I have seen the shortlist for a 150 feet high piece of modern art in Kent this week. It is extraordinary. One of the favourites is a white plastic cow higher than Nelson’s Column in Trafalgar Square. How would you like that outside your bedroom window?

I shudder to think what might emerge here. Perhaps a towering Friar Tuck, creating a daily local eclipse of the sun? It would put Bassetlaw on the map, but I would prefer a discrete little sign surrounded by lots of fine trees and perhaps even the flag of St George and England flying from the Town Hall. Or should I say Town Halls because of course we have two.

I believe that our jewel should be the Priory Gatehouse- a world unique building and one that we need to urgently restore. I have been asked to promote its restoration to the Prince Charles Foundation on Monday week in London and I think Father Spicer and his team might just succeed with this inspirational project.

I have formal Parliamentary confirmation that I was right and Bassetlaw and other councils wrong on graveyards and headstones.

I quote the Government Minister: "staking is not recommended by the Health and Safety Executive". "Relatives may carry out their own inspection and take appropriate steps" "Driving in stakes can cause problems and make memorials unsafe". He also said "let me say emphatically, and I hope that local councillors in particular will hear this - that in the past, over-zealous precautions have been taken… there must be an end to the topple-testing vandalism by over-zealous operators. It must stop".

I have been abused from the very top of the Council on this. Told I was wrong etc, etc. When I get things wrong - and we all do - I work like mad to put them right. I do not want an apology, nor excuses. I just want action and I want it now.

The only course of action open to Bassetlaw Council is to immediately put right the damage that their mistake has caused. Every stake should be removed. They should pay for any damage done, noting that the Minister points out that pile-driving stakes into the ground can make headstones unstable and they should repay everyone who has paid out for work to be done that was probably never needed.

And Bassetlaw Council should bring safety in-house, using decent hardworking council staff to keep a civilised eye on health and safety, in preference to consultants and contractors and do so next week.

If your family grave was staked let me know on 01909 506200 or email mannj@parliament.uk .