THE family of a Dulverton pensioner left out of the town's wartime celebrations in June is hoping it is still not too late for her to mark the end of World War Two. Paul Haslem, of Barns Close, Dulverton, is appealing for details of any forthcoming events his 80-year- old mother Joan may be able to attend to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the end of World War Two. But he has also pledged to contact Buckingham Palace to formally lodge his disquiet over her omission from celebrations organised by Dulverton Town Council. He said his mother only learned about Dulverton's celebrations two days before they took place at the end of June and had been unable to contact either town council clerk Amanda Rose or council chairman Chris Nelder for more information at the time. Mr Haslem told the Free Press: "It is very sad to think a lady of 80 years who has lived in a town for 58 years can so easily be forgotten by her local council. "I am going to write to Buckingham Palace to highlight the fact there are people who have not received a commemorative medal due to the negligence of people in authority." Mrs Haslem moved to Dulverton in 1947 with her husband Harold having previously lived in Brushford until she volunteered to join the Women's Royal Air Force during World War Two. Mr Haslem said his mother had been deeply distressed to miss out on an occasion which could "never be repeated". Dulverton Town Council, which has sent a written apology to Mr Haslem, has sought to reassure the family that she will still be able to receive her veteran's lapel badge from the Ministry of Defence. Town clerk Mrs Rose said the council had been sorry to learn of the distress caused to Mrs Haslem but stressed that "every reasonable attempt" had been made to invite all those who served in World War Two and still lived in the parish of Dulverton. Mrs Rose said: "As there does not exist a definitive list of veterans living in this parish, or indeed any other part of the country, the only course of action was to advertise the event as much as possible. "We were totally reliant on local residents and those veterans who wished to take part in the commemorations to come forward with the necessary details. "I am afraid to say that there was always the risk that someone would slip through the net." She said posters had been put up around the town publicising the celebrations, notices put on two council noticeboards, in the library and on the church noticeboard, while details had also been read out at Sunday church services and featured in the Free Press. Mrs Rose said local homes for the elderly and ex- service organisations were also contacted in a bid to contact as many people as possible and no-one had deliberately been excluded. She added: "Once again I apologise on behalf of members for any distress caused but would like to reiterate that considerable effort was made to advertise the event and give all those entitled an opportunity to be involved."
