Fine threat over Telford pub landlord's fundraiser banners - with video
A prolific Telford fundraiser who has generated nearly £150,000 for servicemen and women hurt in the line of duty has been threatened with a fine if he doesn’t remove banners advertising his pub's charity event this Sunday.
Ed Lowe, landlord of The Plough in Wellington, will be running his Help For Heroes Day for the 10th year this weekend and, as he does each year, he put banners up in the town to advertise the event.
But Telford & Wrekin Council has said if he doesn’t remove them he will face a financial penalty.
Ed said: “We’ve never had a complaint before. We’ve had a letter through from the council saying if we don’t remove them by Wednesday we’ll be getting fined £150.
"We’ve got them in four different locations. Apparently they are blocking people’s view.
"I don’t know how. We depend on people seeing these banners.”
Ed, who used to serve in the Army, has been recognised over the years for his work and was once invited to Buckingham Palace for dinner with Prince Harry.
At this Sunday’s event there will be acts including former The Ticket Unsigned stars Savannah, Caseys On Tour Girls, Wellington Brass Band and many others performing. There will also be military vehicles, a charity auction, food, stalls, bouncy castles and face painting. The annual Battle of Britain flypast will also be returning.
The free event will start at noon and run until late.
Council spokesman Russell Griffin said: “These signs were seen on a pedestrian guard railings as well as other locations and no authorisation had been sought to install them.
"We fully support the event. We just want to ensure we are also protecting motorists and pedestrians.”
