Battle of the bells as war memorial chimes silenced

Published Date: 25 July 2008 A CLOCK which has chimed the passing of time for 80 years has been silenced at night after just one complaint. Scottish Borders Council has ordered the bells of the war memorial clock in Galashiels, Selkirkshire, to stop between midnight and 7:15am after a bed and breakfast owner complained about the noise. But the lack of consultation by the council has provoked a furious reaction from the local branch of the Royal British Legion, which is joint custodian of the war memorial, and community representatives. David Babington, chairman of the legion's Galashiels branch, said he was appalled by the council action. He said: "When I hear those bells ring out I always think about the servicemen of Galashiels who gave their lives in two world wars. For the flow of history to be interrupted on the basis of... [read full story]