Friends and relatives of cricketers whose ashes are scattered on the proposed site of a �200 million banking development are calling for a memorial to be erected on the land.
European banking giant Santander is looking to move its UK computing operations to its site at Carlton Park, Narborough.
The development would include a new-build on the site of the old Carlton Hayes Hospital cricket field, where several members of the hospital staff team had their ashes scattered.
Santander bosses are due to meet with relatives and residents in the area to discuss the possibility of a memorial to keep the players' memories alive.
The ashes of Garry Whetton's grandfather Charles King were scattered on the field in 1964 after the former hospital worker died, aged 72.
Mr Whetton, 64, of Cosby, who also played for the hospital team, said: "My grandfather was not the only player to have his ashes scattered there. There were a few others, too.
"If Santander has to build there, on the pitch, then it would be nice for them to put up some kind of memorial – may be a statue of a cricketer – to mark the site.
"The team was very good and a lot of people will remember it.
"My grandfather scored a lot of hundreds and I was there as a boy when he broke the pavilion clock by hitting a massive six."
Stuart Carter, 85, of Narborough, played in the same team as Mr King.
He said: "It would be the decent thing for Santander to erect a memorial. May be we can't stop progress but we should not forget the past."
Gary Young, of the Narborough Hayes Residents' Association, said he was pleased Santander bosses were considering the suggestion of a memorial.
He said: "We think the ashes of up to five of the cricketers are scattered on that cricket field and there is a very strong feeling within the community that we need to commemorate this.
"We are not sure whether that would be in the form of a plaque or a memorial but there must be a marker of some sort."
Santander, which employs almost 2,000 people, staged a public exhibition of the plans last week, revealing plans to build two four-storey buildings on the 70 acre site.
One of the two buildings is to be built on the site of the cricket field, where the hospital team played.
Seven years ago, residents campaigned against a plan by Alliance and Leicester to build a three-storey office block for the Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust on the field.
Outline planning permission had been given in 1990, but the site was never developed.
Santander gained the site when it bought out Alliance and Leicester in 2008.
A Santander spokesman said: "We will take on board the comments and views of local people and consider all sensitivities such as the historic cricket ground.
"We would also happily discuss the idea of erecting or installing a suitable, appropriate memorial in relation to the historic cricket ground.
"It is important to Santander that, together with the people of Narborough, we can preserve local history."
 |  |
Weir Strictly Come Dancing Horse racing Milan Baros Tottenham Hotspur Mikel Arteta
