CONCERNS have been raised over the future of a memorial bench which marks one of Wokingham’s most notorious unsolved murders.
A green bench, marking the spot in Wellington Road where seven-year-old Mark Tildesley was last seen alive in June 1984, could be moved as part of the Carnival redevelopment.
But residents have expressed concerns that the bench could lose its prominence, and have called on the council to ensure it is retained in an appropriate location.
Mark Tildesley disappeared as he made his way to the fair in Wellington Road on June 1, 1984.
Leslie Bailey was charged with his murder in October 1991, but his body was never recovered, and Mark’s parents, Lavinia and John Tildesley, both died not knowing the whereabouts of their son.
A memorial bench was placed on the spot where the boy was last seen alive, with a plaque which simply reads ‘In Memory of Mark Tildesley’. A further memorial plaque was added underneath when Mrs Tildesley died in 2011.
A Design and Access Statement submitted with the plans for the Carnival development notes the current location of the bench, and suggests that it is relocated to the square outside the entrance to the leisure centre and library.
Two residents, Marc Bannister and Michael Clough, who are not connected to the Tildesley family, wrote letters to Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) calling for the bench to retain a prominent position within the development.
Mr Bannister said: “A permanent public memorial to Mark Tildesley should be retained in a prominent position on the Carnival Field indefinitely.”
Mr Clough added: “Mark was snatched from the carnival on the site in 1984 never to be seen again.
“It is important that that bench is re-placed somewhere on the site, and, possibly, that the block of flats is named after him.”
WBC was quick to reassure residents that the bench would be treated sympathetically, and that any decision would be subject to further discussions.
Cllr Stuart Munro, WBC’s executive member for business and economic development and regeneration, said: “The Council has no plans to remove the memorial bench from the Carnival Site, if the Phase 2 proposals are granted planning permission.
“It is an important part of Wokingham’s local heritage and community.
“However, with the surrounding development, it is felt that this could be an opportunity to look at relocating it to an improved location, such as on the new promenade or as the focus of improvements to the green area by the entrance to the site and Finchampstead Road.
“No decision has been made and further discussions would be held before any final decision around whether to relocate it was made.”
