Controversy over Mayoral trip (From Free Press Series)

Controversy over Mayoral trip

THE MAYOR of Monmouth is to join in the Entente Cordiale celebrations near the battlefield of Agincourt this weekend.

Councillor Susan White has accepted an invitation, written to her on hand inscribed parchment paper, to join in the two-day event to celebrate 100 years of peace between England and France.

But the trip has been surrounded by controversy as the organisers who are putting on a medieval weekend to mark the time when Monmouth-born Henry V rallied his troops in Agincourt in 1415, are the same people who are behind the campaign to stop the wind turbine development on the battlefield.

The proposal to install more than 100 wind turbines, each towering 460ft has met with objection from campaigners, who claim that it will desecrate the site. Actor Robert Hardy, a member of English Heritage battlefields panel has added his support to the campaign.

Cllr White said: "I believe that wind turbines is one of the power sources of the future, but they have to be positioned in places where there is no major objection.

"I have lost many members of my family who gave their life fighting for their country, and I believe that this land should remain untouched and be kept as a dedicated war grave, as a mark of respect to those who lost their lives."

It is hoped that five trees of 'peace and friendship' will be planted by the mayors or their representatives from the battlefield's four surrounding villages.

Amateur historian Don Baggs from Monmouth is one of the organisers of the event and he said: "This Entente Cordiale celebration is simply to hold out the hand of friendship after 589 years and to celebrate 100 years peace on the most important battlefield of the Hundred Years War."

The weekend's celebrations include a group of British longbow-men taking part in a 'friendly' archery competition.

Cllr White added: "It is a honour to represent this town at the medieval celebrations at Ruisseauville and Agincourt, and I hope to be able to cement relationships with our hosts."

The mayor will also be taking letters written by pupils of Wyesham Junior School after they had studied the battle in class.