THE?Mayor of Abergavenny, Councillor Norma Watkins has said she is 'completely dismayed' by a scathing attack by a former soldier, who has accused her of 'disrespect to the fallen'.

In a letter to The Abergavenny?Chronicle, local resident Geoff Kirby - a former soldier with 23 years service under his belt - claims Councillor Watkins's failure to take part in the singing of hymns and the National Anthems was offensive and disrespectful and says he now plans to give his feelings 'wider circulation' by posting on the internet highlighting what he sees as her slight.

"I  and many others on parade found it totally offensive and disrespectful, not only to myself but, to those in the past and present who have laid down their lives for our freedom, to see the Lady Mayor of Abergavenny show total disrespect to the fallen,"?said Mr Kirby.

"We watched this women, who did not move her lips once during the service, not to the hymns, and most galling to the National Anthems.

"She never sang to either, or showed any emotion throughout the service. She gave the impression of 'What the hell am I doing here?'

"When she had to lay her wreath, it looked like she hated every minute of it. This women is a total disgrace to Abergavenny and the country,"?said Mr Kirby.

He added that Councillor Watkins had also failed to show respect to the family of Abergavenny soldier Richard Hunt, who was killed last year while serving in Afghanistan.

"She never even looked at, or acknowledged the laying of a wreath by the Hunt family, who sadly lost their son in Afghanistan recently,"?said Mr Kirby.

Speaking to The Chronicle Councillor Watkins said she was dismayed by the content of the letter.

She said, "My personal feelings have nothing to do with it. I was at the service as mayor of the town. The last thing I would do is be disrespectful to those who died in any conflict.

"If Mr Kirby wants to have a look at the memorial board in the town hall he will see how many of my extended family are on there. Then he might realise something. The youngest on there is an 18-year-old young man.

Responding to her failure to take part in the hymn singing, Councillor Watkins blamed a lack of ability rather than a lack of respect.

"I never sing, even when I'm in church and the bishop never says anything to me about it. To be honest I don't have a nice voice so I never sing.

"It's ridiculous. I am not one the show public emotion. What I do, I do in the privacy of my own home.

Councillor Watkins added that at one point in the service she had become distracted when a young girl taking part in the ceremony was taken ill.

"At one point I admit I was more concerned at the young girl scout who was ill and fainted. I wanted to help her."

Councillor Watkins has also been defended by Abergavenny Town Council clerk Peter Johns who said he thought she had behaved 'very respectfully'.

"I stood behind the mayor and I thought she behaved very respectfully. If Mr Kirby wants to have a discussion about it I am more than happy to talk to him."