Dear Bernard, First of all thankyou. I´ve been a fairly recent convert to the Sharpe series having seen most of the films in the past, and have thoroughly enjoyed reading the novels over recent months. I have a particularly frustrating job, and being able to catch up on the capers of Sharpe and Harper in my dinner hour certainly livens up my day, let alone the prospect of them shooting more "frogs". I´m expecting Wellington´s army to be in the vicinity of Vitoria by Friday lunchtime. Anyway, to the point: I´ve been a regular visitor to Vitoria over the last 3 years, as it is my girlfriend´s (soon to be wife´s) home town. The monument to the Battle, in the main square, is a stunning tribute to the campaign and I´m just as impressed by it now as I was then. The detail of Wellington on his horse and the surrounding troops is superb, although the scene at the back of the statue showing the sufferage sadly brings home the realities of conflict. On a recent visit I was dismayed to learn that the Mayor of the City is proposing the monument be dismantled. His apparent theory is that Vitoria is a peaceful city and people do not want to be reminded of such tragedies. My line of thought is that such sacrifice should be remembered and respected, as those people would have a totally different way of life if it wasn´t for the allied action taken. In short, sometimes peace has to be fought for! I am as peaceful as anyone in Vitoria, but I am disgusted that such a turning point in history is proposed to be fogotten. I´m aware of the South Essex website and it´s support in expanding awareness of the Peninsular Wars, but I wanted to bring this to your direct attention. I would like to focus some attention on the issue and possibly bring about a rethink in the Mayor´s proposal. I wondered therefore, if you are in a position to advise or help in this matter, as someone in your position may be able to make a bigger difference than myself. I am a great believer in remembering history, especially those who died in it´s making. I can imagine that this isn´t the first "help" letter you´ve ever received, but given the topic I thought you may share some concern. regards, John Pybus Hull. East Yorkshire.
I think it's an appalling proposal! Just as the decision to drive a road through the battlefield of Salamanca is ghastly! The memorial in Vitoria is, as you say, splendid - and most unusual; there are very few memorials to the British efforts in the Peninsular War, and none as fitting as the one in Vitoria. I'll write to the usual suspects, but they couldn't stop the Salamanca road and in the end, I suspect, this wretched mayor will have his way. Thank you for letting me know.