Memorials
 | POIGNANT RETURN FOR WAR RELIC A piece of history has been restored close to the Lincolnshire airfield it left more than 80 years ago. In March 1943, a Lancaster bomber of the 100 Squadron embarked on a mission from Waltham Airfield to France, laying mines. Battling dense fog, the plane crashed just 400 yards from Langar Airfield in Nottinghamshire. HOLTON LE CLAY Parish Council clerk Emma Portas explained: “I found myself deeply immersed in a poignant journey after a kind resident of New Waltham offered a piece of the Lancaster’s bomb bay door for installation at the A16 War Memorial. “It had been lying in a hedge in Nottinghamshire for almost 50 years before it was discovered and authenticated and eventually found its way back to Lincolnshire. “This generous donation sparked my curiosity, leading me to delve into a treasure trove of paperwork that accompanied the relic. “As a self-professed geek, I became engrossed in the lives of the young airmen and their families, driven by a desire to honour their bravery.” She joined forces with Tim Chamberlain, a historian who had extensively documented the tragic event, and he invited her to visit the crash site. “Standing there, surrounded by the echoes of history, I felt a real sense of connection with the brave souls aboard the Lancaster,” said Emma. With the support of the community and Tim’s expertise, a memorial now stands at the crash site, adorned with photographs of the crew and the Lancaster. Emma added: “Tim’s generous donation of his research inspired me to preserve this history for future generations and my hope is that I will be able to create a display in the village hall, allowing residents of Holton le Clay to delve into the sacrifices made by these brave young men.” Clerks & Councils Direct, March 2024 |
 | TOWN RECALLS PAST CONFLICTS NEW MILTON Town Council and the Friends of the Indian Soldiers Memorial, formed in 2022, worked closely together to host an annual commemoration at the Indian Memorial Obelisk in Barton on Sea on 10 July. The monument was originally unveiled on 10 July 1917 in honour of Indian troops who convalesced there during WWI. It has two inscriptions, one in English and a translation in Urdu. Invited guests included the Deputy Lieutenant of Hampshire and civic leaders, who joined representatives of local schools and members of the public at the act of remembrance. Journalist and author Shrabani Basu addressed the congregation, acknowledging the contribution of the Indian troops. On 23 August the mayor, Cllr David Hawkins, led a short service of remembrance at the Memorial Clock on Station Road in memory of local residents who lost their lives when enemy bombs fell on the town during WWII. The service included a one-minute silence, a prayer and acknowledgement of the names of those killed. Clerks & Councils Direct, September 2023 |
 | COUNCIL HONOURS PAST SACRIFICES FOLKESTONE Town Council in Kent commemorated VJ Day (Victory over Japan Day) on 15 August, marking the surrender of Japan and the end of WWII in 1945. A service conducted by Revd Bob Weldon was attended by civic dignitaries, military personnel, representatives of ex-service associations and their standard bearers and youth organisations. It was followed by the laying of wreaths at the Burma Star Memorial in the Garden of Remembrance in Sandgate Road. The council also held its annual Canada Day Service on 30 June, commemorating 305 Canadian soldiers who died during WWI and are buried in the Shorncliffe Military Cemetery. The mayor, Cllr Belinda Walker, was accompanied by councillors, representatives of the Canadian High Commission, the Canadian Forces Detachment in the UK and the Royal Gurkha Rifles and members of local ex-service associations and local dignitaries. The Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas provided the music. This tradition started over 100 years ago. Deputy town clerk Toni Brenchley, who organised the event, said: “Over 250 children from local schools were positioned by Canadian graves and laid posies; it was an amazing sight.” Clerks & Councils Direct, September 2023 |
 | SOLEMN REMINDER OF WAR IN UKRAINE Members of the Ukrainian community living in NEWBURY, Berkshire unveiled a temporary exhibit on the wall of the town hall on 12 July. “Angels of Ukraine” consists of yellow and blue angels handmade by Ukrainian women, each one representing a child killed since Russia invaded the country in February 2022. The memorial was first exhibited in Slovakia in 2022, when it had 241 angels. It has since been displayed in Cyprus, Germany and the UK and the number of angels has sadly increased, now standing at 494. From Newbury, it will travel to Portugal and other countries. The mayor, Cllr Nigel Foot, said, “It was a privilege to be part of this event, but incredibly sad. We must remember all those who have suffered so much. Clerks & Councils Direct, September 2023 |
 | MONUMENT AND GARDEN UNVEILED WORKINGTON Town Council, Cumbria, and R.A.F Engineering unveiled the COVID-19 monument and garden, known as ‘The Nightingale Garden’, on 23 March in Vulcan Park, Workington. The garden has been created for the community of Workington to remember those who died during the COVID-19 pandemic; to also remember those who are still suffering today and to everyone who made sacrifices to help those in need. The monument was donated to the people of Workington by R.A.F Engineering. Owner of R.A.F Engineering, Rafal Gibki, commented: “We are delighted to be able to unveil our monument as part of the Nightingale Garden and provide a place for the community to reflect on their experience of the pandemic. We hope that the monument will bring comfort to those who need it; knowing that there is now a permanent memorial for all who suffered and lost their lives. Clerks & Councils Direct, May 2023 |
 | SERVICES HONOUR VICTIMS OF GENOCIDE THE deputy mayor of BUCKINGHAM, Cllr Anja Schaefer, led a service to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day on 27 January at the town’s new Memorial Stone in Bourton Park. She read a commitment to ensure that future generations understand the causes of the Holocaust, while Sarah Katz of the Milton Keynes & District Reform Synagogue read Elie Wiesel’s acceptance of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1986. The council was joined by pupils from the Royal Latin school and Lace Hill primary (above), who laid tribute stones and shared readings. The memorial stone is limestone bedrock from Brackley Road cemetery and was donated in 2021 by local firm Paragon Tool Hire, while stonemason Louis Francis was commissioned to engrave it. Clerks & Councils Direct, March 2023 |
 | WORK BEGINS ON MEMORIAL GARDEN FARNHAM Town Council in Surrey has begun work to create a new garden of remembrance in Upper Hale. The space has been designed by garden design company Graduate Landscapes on the site of Hale chapels, which have stood redundant for many years. The garden is being built by award-winning company Landform. The project will see unstable parts of the chapel walls reduced in height. Their footprint will be preserved by laying repurposed flint setts at ground level, with key features such as gable windows and stone mullions incorporated into the design. The garden will be planted with trees and plants which feature in the Bible, including an almond tree to symbolise renewal, an olive tree for productivity, a fig tree for life and myrtle for recovery. Cllr Carole Cockburn, lead member for cemeteries, said: “I’m pleased that we have been able to find a new purpose for the chapels and to bring the space back into use, with help from the Hale Chapels Trust and the local community. Clerks & Councils Direct, March 2023 |
 | TOWN TAKES BACK TOMMY MEMORIAL CREWKERNE Town Council has taken the town’s war memorial, known as “Tommy”, and the adjacent Severalls War Memorial Gardens back into its ownership, following negotiations with South Somerset District Council (SSDC). The town council is the sole trustee of the War Memorial Grounds Commemoration Trust. Following the decision to move towards a unitary council for the county, the town council approached SSDC about the possibility of transferring the gardens back to its control. A petition was organised by resident John Davies and presented to a meeting of SSDC’s full council by deputy mayor Alice Samuel. Lengthy negotiations between officers of both councils resulted in an agreement to transfer ownership of the land back to the town of Crewkerne. Cllr Samuel said: “We are delighted that Tommy and the gardens are ‘coming home’. This has taken several years of careful negotiations, but the ownership of these important historic assets is now with the town, which is right and proper. The gardens are tended by an enthusiastic team of local volunteers, and they will now be supported by the town council’s grounds team where needed.” Clerks & Councils Direct, March 2023 |
ANIMAL MURAL
THE mayor of SWANLEY in Kent, Cllr Lesley Dyball, unveiled an animal mural on 11 November to commemorate animals that have been killed in war, on a wall alongside the town’s silent soldiers. Cllr Dyball said: “I am very pleased that we have been able to finally pay tribute to the animals that served so courageously during conflict.” Toni Roast, assistant town clerk, said: “After working on this mural for over three years, I am so pleased that it has finally come to fruition. The soldiers have had new poppies this year, after residents worked hard to knit and crochet more than 660 poppies.
Clerks & Councils Direct January 2023
 | WORK BEGINS TO RESTORE MEMORIAL BRADFORD ON AVON Town Council in Wiltshire has received a grant from the War Memorials Trust scheme, supported by Historic England, to repair and conserve its war memorial, whose stone has weathered and deteriorated over the years. The funding coincides with the memorial’s 100th anniversary. Work began on 26 September to fence off the memorial in Westbury Garden and erect scaffolding. The contractors will hand clean recesses, repoint joints to steps and paving and carry out fine mortar repairs. The memorial was unveiled on 3 August 1922. It has two bronze tablets carrying the names of 125 men who died in the Great War, arranged alphabetically from Adams C.E. to White W. Bradford on Avon contributed to both world wars as an industrial town, manufacturing Avon Rubber products, but it also suffered significant losses from its small population. The council embarked on the refurbishment programme with support from the local Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal team. Frances Moreton, director of the War Memorials Trust, said: “War memorials connect us today to those who have given their lives in conflicts throughout history. The charity was delighted to support this project and hopes it will ensure the war memorial remains a focal point for the community.” Clerks & Councils Direct November 2022 |
 | LASTING REMINDER OF COVID LOSSES CLLR Jackie Love, mayor of UCKFIELD Town Council in East Sussex, and her deputy Cllr Donna French unveiled a commemorative bench on 27 January as a permanent memorial to all those affected by the coronavirus pandemic. They were joined by representatives of funeral director CPJ Field, which helped to develop and finance the project. Clerks & Councils Direct March 2022 |
 | CHESTNUT COMPLETES MEMORIAL PLANTING MISTLEY Parish Council in Essex recently planted a horse chestnut tree at the Mistley and Manningtree Welcome Home Field. The council is sole trustee of the Welcome Home Memorial Trust and it now has a full complement of 17 memorial trees at the site, one for each resident who died in World War II. County councillor Carlo Guglielmi helped with the finances via Essex County Council’s Locality Budget, and long-serving parish councillor Geraldine Carter (pictured) assisted with planting the tree. A Welcome Home sign is being restored by Cllr Derek Bell and a new bench has been ordered to replace a previous one that was vandalised. The council hopes to have the Welcome Home Field ready to host a community event for the Queen’s Platinum celebrations in June. Clerks & Councils Direct March 2022 |
 | LEARNING LESSONS FROM HISTORY BUCKINGHAM Town Council commemorated Holocaust Memorial Day on 27 January with a ceremony at a new Memorial Stone in Bourton Park. The event was led by the mayor, Cllr Margaret Gateley, who stated the council’s commitment to ensuring that future generations understand the causes of the Holocaust and reflect upon its consequences, while condemning prejudice, discrimination and racism in all societies. She then read a poem by a British soldier who took part in the liberation of the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in April 1945 and was joined by councillors and members of the public in a lantern-lit walk of reflection. The memorial stone is a focal point for people to learn about the Nazi genocide of six million Jews and other minorities in World War II and also more recent atrocities in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur. It is made from limestone bedrock from a local cemetery and was engraved by stonemason Louis Francis. The council worked with The Holocaust Memorial Day Trust to plan the inaugural event. The charity provides free resources and workshops across the UK and also the annual theme for the day of memorial. This year’s theme was “One Day”, in the hope of a day in the future when there will be no more genocide. Clerks & Councils Direct March 2022 |
 | NEW MEMORIAL GARDEN CANVEY ISLAND Town Council in Essex has unveiled a new memorial garden with a plaque and two additional raised beds in the Labworth Memorial Garden in memory of residents who have lost their lives due to the coronavirus pandemic. A short service of dedication was held on 30 October, with a speech by the mayor, Cllr Barry Palmer. The garden has been fully funded through donations from local businesses and the Essex County Council Locality Fund. The council hopes that it will give residents a place to sit and reflect upon personal losses. Clerks & Councils Direct January 2022 |
 | MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR WARTIME PILOT QUEDGELEY Town Council in Gloucestershire held a Pilot Memorial Day event on 25 September to remember Flight Lieutenant Robert George Coventry, who in September 1940 selflessly steered his stricken plane over Fieldcourt Junior School before crashing into nearby farmland. He lost his life in the incident but saved the lives of many children. The service began at the crash site, followed by a parade to the council’s memorial garden, where a monument has been erected. Around 700 people attended, including two residents who were at the school at the time and witnessed the event. The family of Flt Lt Coventry now live in Canada, but two of his comrades survived that day and the daughter of one of them attended the service to lay a wreath. Months of preparation went into ensuring that the event could take place safely, according to clerk Jacquie Webster, and it was featured on that evening’s Points West news bulletin on BBC TV. Clerks & Councils Direct November 2021 |
 | REDEDICATION FOR RESTORED MEMORIAL RINGWOOD Town Council in Hampshire held a service on 15 August to commemorate the rededication of its war memorial, 100 years after it was first erected. The memorial underwent a programme of conservation last year, including repairs to the WWI and WWII rolls of honour, repair and repointing of damaged stone, treatment of its bronze sword and cleaning of the stone. The work was funded in large part by a grant from War Memorials Trust. Clerks & Councils Direct, September 2021 |
 | CENTENARY FOR CONFLICT MEMORIAL CAPEL Parish Council in Kent celebrated the centenary of its Memorial Cottages on 15 August. The ceremony was led by Cllr Chris Woodward, mayor of Tunbridge Wells, and Cllr Hugh Patterson, chairman, replied on behalf of the parish council. Clerks & Councils Direct, September 2021 |
CANVEY ISLAND Town Council in Essex agreed on 22 February that it would install a memorial in the Labworth Memorial Gardens to commemorate the many residents who have lost their lives during the pandemic. The gardens have for many years commemorated the loss of life during the 1953 floods in the town and more recently, since the council took ownership, benches and plaques have been installed for residents wishing to remember a loved one. Costs have not yet been agreed, but the council hopes to install a commemorative statue and surrounding garden. The mayor, Cllr Alan Acott, said: “The town council wishes to commemorate the tragedy of the pandemic in 2020/21 and to create a beautiful area that family members can visit to remember those they have lost.”
Clerks & Councils Direct, May 2021
 | HAYDON WICK Parish Council in North Swindon joined the National Trust and other organisations in planting a circle of blossom trees as an act of remembrance. The planned memorial will provide residents of all ages with a space to remember those who have died during the pandemic. It will involve the planting of cherry blossom trees and the installation of sleeper benches and a flower bed. A council spokesperson said: “From talking with residents, it became clear that many wanted to recognise the sad deaths of those this community has lost to Covid-19, as well as to express a communal sense of shared loss and shared remembrance. We still have a long way to go but the vaccines are a symbol of hope in this moment of darkness, and that’s how we see this memorial.” The larger urban enhancement project being led by the National Trust is designed to replicate the Japanese custom of hanami, or flower viewing, and Haydon Wick will be adopting this ancient tradition as the first sign of spring. The council has recognised the importance of open spaces for mental and physical health during lockdown and has completed many projects such as bulb planting, allotment enhancements and competitions to benefit local residents. Clerks & Councils Direct, May 2021 |
CRANLEIGH Parish Council in Surrey marked the 100th anniversary of the consecration of its war memorial with a small socially distanced service in late December. The memorial was originally consecrated on 5 December 1920 by the Revd Philip Cunningham, and members of his family were able to attend the service and lay a wreath. Council chairman Cllr Liz Townsend laid a wreath on behalf of the town. The Royal British Legion gave an overview of the memorial’s history, followed by The Exhortation and a two-minute silence, and a lone singer sang Abide With Me.
Clerks & Councils Direct, March 2021
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Volunteers and councillors planted a tree in the Memorial Garden in BROSELEY, Shropshire in December in recognition of local people who have assisted those in need during the Covid-19 lockdown. The tree selected was a cherry, Prunus Amanogawa, and Broseley Memorials donated a granite plaque with an inscription to celebrate all the hard work and effort put in during a very difficult year. Clerks & Councils Direct, March 2021 |
 | The mayor of THATCHAM in Berkshire, Cllr Mike Cole, unveiled a commemorative blue plaque in October, the third in a series of planned annual installations. The plaque commemorates Harry Lester, an engineer who designed revolutionary lightweight frames for motorcycles before turning his attention to MG cars. Lester MGs were marketed as “improved” production cars, and he also developed vehicles for international sports car racing, predominantly for the Monkey Stables racing team. Cllr Cole presented a framed certificate to Phoebe Mitchell of Wiltshire Tyres, which occupies Lester’s old premises in Thatcham. Also in attendance was author Stewart Penfound, who wrote a book about Lester, with one of the last Lester MGs ever made. Clerks & Councils Direct, January 2021 |
 | CENTENARY EVENT DELAYED FOR A YEAR Clerks & Councils Direct, November 2020 |
 | MEMORIAL BENCH Clerks & Councils Direct September 2020 |
 | LASTING REMINDER OF COVID RESILIENCE Clerks & Councils Direct September 2020 |
 | HOLTON LE CLAY Parish Council in Lincolnshire has purchased a Silent Soldier and a Roll of Honour lectern that lists all the soldiers from the village who were captured, injured or killed in action during the First World War. It has also purchased a commemorative bench with the help of a donation of £400 from Cllr Mik Boon. Local firms provided materials for the bench and installed it free of charge, while a resident donated several ornamental poppies to complete the display. The village’s WWI memorial is situated opposite its WWII RAF memorial. Parish clerk Emma Harris said: “We are incredibly proud of the work that has gone into making the memorial site a peaceful and pleasant place to visit and reflect on the sacrifices that were made during the two World Wars.” Clerks & Councils Direct, November 2019 |
 | PEACE GARDEN The Mayor of KIRTON IN LINDSEY in Lincolnshire, Cllr Pat Frankish, is raising funds through her chosen charity to develop land near the town’s war memorial into a peace garden. The War Memorial and Garden of Edward Elmhirst Duckering charity holds in trust the land on which the memorial stands. Donations received during the year will kickstart a fund to establish the peace garden. Clerks & Councils Direct, November 2019 |
 | HONOURING LINKS WITH INDIAN ARMY NEW MILTON Town Council in Hampshire hosted a New Milton Remembers event at the Indian Memorial Obelisk, Barton on Sea, on 10 July. The mayor, Cllr Alvin Reid, welcomed guests including the Deputy Lord Lieutenant and representatives of the High Commission of India and Sikh Council Hampshire, along with local schools and residents. A procession was followed by a service and the laying of wreaths. Goff Beck of the Royal British Legion was presented with a small kirpan sword in recognition of his work in organising the event and last year’s inaugural service, which marked the 101st anniversary of the obelisk, one of only two freestanding Indian Army memorials in the UK. The Sikh Council has worked closely with the town to arrange the services, which are now included in the annual civic diary as an official event. Clerks & Councils Direct, September 2019 |
FIVEHEAD Parish Council in Somerset has rededicated its village war memorial, after being awarded a grant of almost £2,000 by the War Memorials Trust for renovation work. The memorial commemorates 14 men from the village who lost their lives in both World Wars. Nearly 100 people attended the ceremony on the village green on 26 May. The date marked the centenary of the deaths of Lance Corporal Frank Male and Lance Bombardier George Chorley, the last two men from the village to die in WWI. Relatives attended from all over the country and wreaths were laid by parish council chairwoman Cllr Kate Beacham and Col (Retd) Tony Potter on behalf of the Royal British Legion. Rector Scott Patterson conducted the service, and the last post was sounded by Petty Offcer Chris Palucsis of the HMS Heron Royal Navy Volunteer Band. An ebook has been published to honour those who fought in both wars, with proceeds going to the RBL. Fivehead’s Military Men by Pip Brett tells the stories of those who lost their lives and those who survived.
Clerks & Councils Direct, July 2018
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| HAWARDEN Community Council has placed a “Silent Solder” silhouette opposite its war memorial to commemorate the end of WWI. The silhouette was a “thank you” from the Royal British Legion after Hawarden donated £250, the frst community council in Flintshire to do so. It stands as a tribute to those who did not return home from the Great War. The council chairman, Cllr Alan Diskin, said: “The First World War was a human disaster, and therefore it’s extremely important to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the ending of the conflict. The Silent Soldier campaign serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifce made by so many, including from the Hawarden community.” Clerks & Councils Direct, July 2018 |
 | BARDNEY Group Parish Council in Lincolnshire has installed new benches to commemorate the two World Wars. The benches, manufactured by Scottish company David Ogilvie Engineering, have been placed on the edge of the village green, looking towards the parish war memorial. Council chairman Cllr Robert Webb said: “The council was delighted to f nd the WWI bench, which clearly depicts those who served. We then discovered a further design which honours those who fought in the Second World War. Bardney has strong military links and played a role in the war effort, so it was f tting that the second bench was also purchased.” Pictured are Cllrs Charles Shaw, Malcolm Speed, Sally Zubic, John Zubic and vice-chairman Robin Darby with the WWI bench. Clerks & Councils Direct, July 2018 |
FUNDING DRIVE FOR MEMORIAL GARDEN
HUNTINGTON Parish Council in Cannock, Staffordshire is fundraising for a community project, the Huntington Memorial Garden. According to Cllr Scott Allport, the project involves moving a large mining wheel from its current location to Littleton Green in the middle of the village on land formerly used by Littleton Colliery, which closed 25 years ago. A memorial garden will be created around the wheel to remember both former miners and those who fell in the two World Wars. Their names will be etched into individual bricks, which residents can purchase. The bricks will form the foundations of a monument and will also be placed within the garden. Information boards on Huntington’s history will be erected, and people will also be able to get involved through a community gardeners scheme. The project is expected to cost in excess of £100,000, and the parish council has donated £20,000 towards this. Engraved bricks cost £30 and residents can make pledges via engraved paving stones, plaques, remembrance trees and benches, along with merchandise ranging from enamel pin badges to framed photographs
Clerks & Councils Direct, July 2018
FEATHERSTONE in West Yorkshire has secured a £50,000 grant from funding body WREN for a WWI memorial sculpture entitled “War Horse, A Place of Peace To Be Together”. The money, from the FCC Community Action Fund, will fund work by artists Cod Steaks at the Mill Pond Meadows Nature Reserve. The idea for the sculpture stemmed from a research project funded through the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund, which resulted in a book, Featherstone in the First World War. With the aid of the Woodland Trust, a schools engagement project saw a commemorative wood planted in 2014 to mark the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of war. In total 353 trees have been planted, one for each resident who lost their life. The War Horse will be a “long-lasting commemorative artwork of regional and national significance”, according to the council. A successful application to Arts Council England recently funded a period of community engagement with local schools and residents. An artist’s impression shows how the monument will look when completed.
Clerks & Councils Direct, May 2018
SEAFORD Town Council in East Sussex has won Grade II listing for its main war memorial. The memorial, one of three in the town, is a tall example of a granite wheel-head cross and was unveiled in 1921. It commemorates 104 members of the local community and also seven men who died on service during the Second Boer War. Later inscriptions were added for 88 service personnel and 20 civilians who died in WWII. In 1952 it was moved from its original site on Dane Road to its current location on Sutton Park Road and was rededicated.
Clerks & Councils Direct, May 2018
Cllr Cathie Watkins, a member of BARLESTONE Parish Council in Leicestershire, and her husband have been creating imaginative Remembrance tributes for the past few years. The area used to have widespread coal mining activity and many villages have a pit wheel as a memorial to this. The couple started decorating the Barlestone pit wheel, which is around 12 feet in diameter, in 2014 for Remembrance Day. They also decorate the cemetery gates and this will be done again in November 2018, with a different theme. The wheel is pictured in 2017. Cllr Watkins said: “I’m the one with the sling. Fortunately the wheel had been decorated by the time I broke my collarbone just prior to Remembrance Sunday.”
Clerks & Councils Direct, May 2018
WESTON-SUPER-MARE Town Council in Somerset has received a grant of £6,200 from the Memorials Grants Scheme to restore its Grove Park War Memorial. The scheme is supported by the First World War Memorials Programme, run by the War Memorials Trust, and Historic England. Work will include the casting of a new bronze olive branch to replace a missing original, and the angel statue will be patinated to restore its original colour. The plinth will benefit from repointing, restoration of the plaques and microcrystalline wax coatings. It is hoped to complete the work in time for the centenary. The project is being led by the town council, with support from North Somerset Council and Weston Civic Society. The work will be carried out by specialist contractor Richard Rogers Conservation of Leatherhead, Surrey.
Clerks & Councils Direct, May 2018
GRANTS FUND HERITAGE SCHEMES
WORKINGTON Town Council in Cumbria has won initial support of £33,600 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to progress plans for the restoration of Jane Pit as a memorial to local mine workers. The aim is to apply for full grant funding for the project in 2019. Jane Pit closed in 1875 but is still a strong reminder of the town’s mining past. Plans include restoring the pit head, formal grounds maintenance and interpretative displays and lighting. The council is proposing to host community activities to engage young people with local history and to promote volunteer opportunities, in partnership with Workington Heritage Group and Allerdale Borough Council. Cllr Antony McGuckin said: “We do not want to lose this remaining physical evidence of the importance of coal mining. We are concerned that knowledge of how mining has shaped Workington’s development will be lost if we do not preserve this monument.”
Clerks & Councils Direct, March 2018
SILENT SOLDIERS TO MARK ANNIVERSARY
NEW MILTON Town Council is supporting the Royal British Legion Hampshire & Isle of Wight Silent Soldier campaign to mark the centenary anniversary of the end of WWI. Silent Soldiers are life-size silhouettes that will stand at locations around the town in November and December 2018. Town clerk Graham Flexman said: “Silent Soldiers will appear on buildings, in gardens of remembrance, at roundabouts and entrances to the town.” The council is encouraging local groups, organisations and individuals to support the campaign, and silhouettes can be sponsored at a cost of £250 each. The town will hold its Remembrance Day Parade and wreath-laying ceremony on 11 November at the War Memorial Recreation Ground, and in the evening residents will join the national Battle’s Over event with the lighting of a beacon at Barton cliff-top.
Clerks & Councils Direct, March 2018
Service commemorates bombing raid NEWBURY held a service at St John’s Church on 11 February to commemorate the 75th anniversary of a wartime bombing raid that killed 15 people, injured many more and destroyed a large part of the Berkshire town. A German plane attacked on 10 February 1943, dropping four large bombs and six smaller ones and opening fire with machine guns. The Senior Council School, St Bartholomew’s Almshouses, Southampton Terrace and St John’s Church itself were destroyed. Some 265 dwellings were damaged and many were later demolished. The service included the stories of elderly residents who remembered the raid, including Tony Wheeler (pictured with Cllr Margo Payne). Afterwards, there was a procession from the church to the Memorial Stone in St John’s Gardens, where flowers were laid in memory of those who lost their lives. The town’s mayor, Cllr David Fenn, said: “It has been very moving to hear the reminiscences of some of the people who witnessed the bombing, and it is a miracle that more people were not killed. Had the bomb dropped prior to the school finishing time who knows how many more people could have been killed and injured.”
Clerks & Councils Direct, March 2018
Left to right: Cllr Mike Cosgrove, deputy clerk Adrienne Begent, clerk Louise Bareham, Cllr Shiel Campbell, Cllr Claire Belsom and Tom Gates, president of Faversham Royal British Legion
BUNTING PROJECT TO HONOUR WAR DEAD
The mayor of FAVERSHAM in Kent, Cllr Shiel Campbell, officially launched the town’s World War I Bunting Project on 13 October. The project will commemorate all 243 local men who lost their lives during the Great War. Relatives, individuals and groups have been invited to make a piece of bunting, which will include the name of each person in a design of their choice. The completed bunting will be displayed during November 2018 to mark the centenary of the end of the war. Cllr Mike Cosgrove said: “The town council's 2018 centenary commemorations have begun with the launch of two major projects, bunting with the names of each serviceman killed and a public appeal to set their names in stone in the memorial garden.”
Clerks & Councils Direct, January 2018
Employees from local firm Merck used community time to help with the planting
NEW TREES TO BE A LASTING ASSET
An avenue of 50 trees was planted on public open space in Other areas » HOT TOPICS