IS THE oak the symbolic tree of our nation — all that ‘hearts of’ and seafaring or is it the elm and the ash that made the longbows for Agincourt?

Fairford Town Council has decided the oak is the symbolic tree to plant to commemorate the First World War.

It will not be planted in the town centre as the church objects to it being on its land. It will instead be in an obscure part of Fairford — a footpath on Cook Trust land.

What a wonderful example of the current PR compromise and committee decision-making we have today.

Our TV news routinely reports in sonorous tones of the dead brought back from our involvement in internecine activities abroad.

Imagine today’s technology reporting on the ‘Great War’.

But it’s not just that. Not only those who chose or were conscripted into war, it’s the dramatic effect it had on our society. Both things should be remembered.

Not by our FTC or our church, clearly so in touch with the people they serve.

That the church denied planting this tree astounds me, that the FTC compromised doesn’t.

“Lest we forget them"!

KEITH GALLON

Fairford