by James Scott
jscott@thekmgroup.co.uk

Thieves have stolen lead worth £500 from a memorial built for those who lost their lives in the Second World War.
The theft from the roof of the memorial shelter in Ulley Road, Kennington, happened some time during the night of Friday, April 9.
The memorial was built in 1950 to commemorate the 17 servicemen and five civilians from Ashford who lost their lives in the Second World War.
It is being restored under a community project led by Kennington Community Forum and the oak frame and shingled roof were finished only last month.
The project has been supported by English Heritage, War Memorials Trust, Kent County Council, local companies and residents, who helped raise the £8,500 needed to restore the shelter.
Kennington Community Forum member Chris Morley, pictured at the damaged memorial above, said: “It’s such a shame that someone has come along and done this, especially as it is something people from the community have put their hearts into.
“The materials themselves aren’t even that expensive. It’s just the cost of working out how much it’s going to cost us to put it back together again.”
Mr Morley of Broadhurst Drive, Kennington has spent the past 18 months running the restoration project.
He said: “It’s a real blow. We’re dismayed the work done by the community has been undone by someone for the sake of a few pounds. It was always a high risk, but we were driven by the fact we’re funded by English Heritage so we had to do it to the highest standards and that meant using lead.”
Before the theft Mr Morley, a compliance manager for IBM, said they had been preparing to launch an appeal to raise £5,000 for the second phase of the project to reinstate a bench and railings at the shelter.
Neighbourhood PCSO Nikki Relf said: “The war memorial was rebuilt as it had deteriorated through age.
“The money to rebuild it was raised by the community and I would like to speak to anyone who has information about this theft.”
Any witnesses can call the police on 01622 690690 or Kent Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
For more information about the shelter, or to make a donation, go to www.kenningtoncf.kentparishes.gov.uk
The shelter also has a page on social networking site Facebook under the name Kennington Memorial Shelter.