Anger over 'country park' sign plans for Ellesmere

Members of Ellesmere Town Council have hit out at a proposal by Shropshire Council to create signs saying 'Mere Country Park' next to the town's mere.

At last night's town council meeting, members said the site was not a country park and instead believe the signs should say 'Cremorne Gardens'.

Cremorne Gardens is situated on the shore of the mere and is a former Victorian pleasure ground.

Councillors say historically the site has always been known as Cremorne Gardens and should remain so.

Speaking at last night's meeting, Councillor Ian Ward said: "This keeps being raised by Shropshire Council.

"It is about time a clear message was made that it is clearly not a country park, it is a mere and Cremorne Gardens is a part of the mere."

Councillor Lynne Davies said: "I would like to know when they think it changed its name."

Councillor Geoff Elner said: "They don't own it and have no right to change its name."

The mayor of Ellesmere, Councillor Alan Clarke, added: "Historically it has been Cremorne Gardens."

Councillors are now due to inform Shropshire Council of its views on the new signs.

The meeting also heard that the Ellesmere branch of the Royal British Legion will have a World War I display in the market hall on Armed Forces Day on June 28.

It will include paintings from the Qube and memorabilia from Park Hall Farm, which are both based in Oswestry.

Meanwhile, the town council heard there were six crimes reported to the police in May.

These included one burglary, one public order offence and four minor assaults.

Speaking at the meeting, police also said there were no issues to report at this year's Ellesmere Triathlon, which took place last month.