Battle of Britain memorial chapel under threat as MoD pulls funding

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/jan/04/battle-of-britain-memorial-chapel-under-threat-kent

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The future of a war memorial created with the support of Sir Winston Churchill to remember the air crew who died in the Battle of Britain is uncertain after the Ministry of Defence (MoD) decided its £50,000-a-year running cost was not “the most appropriate” way of spending its budget.

An e-petition launched against the MoD’s proposal to “relinquish ownership” of St George’s Chapel of Remembrance on the site of the former RAF station at Biggin Hill in Kent has passed 10,000 signatories.

The names of those who died in the battle are inscribed on a roll of honour inside the chapel, which Sir Winston wanted as a permanent memorial.

More than 25,000 visitors are expected to visit the chapel this year, the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.

Group Captain Patrick Tootal, secretary of the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust, said: “If you look at it through the eyes of the bean counters, the chapel is not war fighting and the MoD is about war fighting.

“I am afraid that the problem is that there is no money for heritage or history.”

Martin John Mitchener, who launched the e-petition on the government’s website, wrote: “By March 2016, the Royal Air Force/Ministry of Defence are withdrawing all support from the chapel. If no one or group takes on the responsibility of this magnificent memorial chapel, it will be closed without access to the public or church services.

“This chapel was built as a memorial to aircrew who had their lives taken in World War 2; they fought and they died. We, today, have the freedom to forget.”

Battle of Britain veteran Tom Neill, 94, a retired wing commander, told the Mail on Sunday: “The chapel is a priceless heirloom and it is being got rid of by sleight of hand. For these politicians and civil servants, this is just a stroke of a pen for them.

“They should remember the significance of the Battle of Britain. We show such contempt for the sacrifice of our veterans and our history.”

An MoD spokesman said: “This chapel is an integral part of our national heritage and the minister for defence personnel, welfare and veterans, Anna Soubry, is already working to find a replacement source of funding. “In order to ensure that the defence budget is spent in the most appropriate way, the MoD will look to relinquish ownership of St George’s Chapel by March 2016. However, we remain committed to its preservation.”

Jo Johnson, Conservative MP for Orpington, which covers Biggin Hill, and who is head of the Number 10 policy unit, said: “As far as I’m concerned it’s unthinkable that the chapel would cease to be. It’s a vital point of remembrance to the Battle of Britain and I am delighted that the Ministry of Defence is dedicated to its preservation.”