Meeting to discuss Tommy Broom memorial bench after residents object

A SPECIAL meeting is to be held between councillors and residents to discuss plans to install a memorial bench in the town in tribute to Portishead war hero Tommy Broom.

Portishead Ex-Servicemen's Society approached Portishead Town Council with a view to placing a memorial bench on a park area at the junction of Slade Road and Roath Road to remember Squadron Leader Thomas John Broom,

An area of grassland is now all that remains of the rank of cottages, which were demolished in the 1950s, where Tommy was born.

Tommy, who died last year aged 96, survived more than 80 missions over the hostile skies of Europe and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross three times.

Tommy, together with his namesake and great friend, Air Vice Marshall Sir Ivor Broom, led  some of the most daring raids of World War II.

The duo was famously known as The Flying Brooms and their pathfinder Mosquito bomber was adorned with a crossed broomsticks logo for good luck.

They shared 58 operational flights, 22 of which were above the heavily-defended Berlin and their feats were widely admired throughout the RAF.

But the bench plan has hit a stumbling block after residents living in the area raised objections.

Residents - who submitted a 20 name petition against the proposal - say the bench will act as a stop off point for people coming home from the town's pubs late at night, leading to noise and anti social behaviour.

Portishead Town Council - which is now planning to fund the bench and organise its installation - has called a special meeting to discuss the plans with residents.

The meeting is to take place on May 10 at 7.30pm at the Folk Hall.

Portishead Town Council clerk, Martin Dolton, said: "As a result of a number of concerns expressed by local residents, councillors are to meet with them to discuss the issues surrounding the installation of the bench.

"These comments will be considered before a final decision is made by the town council."

But plans to place the bench may now be vetoed after local residents have objected and submitted a 20 name petition to Portishead Town Council calling for the location to be reconsidered.

Portishead in Bloom planted a series of silver birch trees at the green earlier this month in tribute to Tommy.

Tommy, who was born in Portishead in January 1914, joined the RAF aged 18 in 1932 after leaving school at 14 and working in a garage.

His wartime heroics remained a well guarded secret until his friend Tom Parry Evans persuaded him to reveal his extraordinary deeds to a wider audience.

Tom, a former school teacher who used to commute from Portishead to Avonmouth on the same bus as Tommy, eventually convinced him they should write a book.

The pair met twice a week and eventually Squadron Leader, Tommy Broom DFC** - The Legendary Mosquito Navigator - was published.