RINGWOOD Town Council has been approached by a local military historian to ask if it would put on an Armed Forces Day event next year.

John Leete’s request was debated by members this week, but the idea of the council organising an event was scotched.

However members said they would support an event organised by someone else.

Mr Leete wanted to set up ‘Ringwood Remembered’, looking at how Ringwood played a part in the conflicts and produce a book.

But members felt there would be a conflict with Ringwood Town Council supporting a commercial enterprise, and Cllr Michael Thierry said the council should not head up events and be responsible for them, but support any organisation that wants to plan an event, as it does for carnival and Christmas carols, with road closures and insurance.

He said he would support an Armed Forces Day event when an organiser came forward, but that he could not support any provision of an event led by the council.

He also commented how poorly attended the church service was for this Armed Forces Day.

Cllr Angela Wiseman said Fanfare for Spring was put forward by the public and supported by the council with a grant.

It was agreed to contact Mr Leete to say the council would support a plan if any was forthcoming.