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

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.
The idea was first put forward by Cllr Duncan Bennett at a council meeting in April 2021. CPJ Field sourced suitable designs and contributed to the costs of production and installation. The bench, located at the top of Luxford Field with views over the town, is made from powder-coated steel and its design represents friends and family members.
Cllr Love said: “This is a beautiful location for our residents to sit and reflect, and a key memorial to remember those who lost their lives during the pandemic.” She is pictured (second left) with Cllr French (third left) and Paula O’Neill and Emma Naylor of CPJ Field.

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.
The service was attended by representatives of the Royal British Legion, the armed forces and Churches Together, with live music from the Ringwood and Burley Band. It was introduced by the mayor, Cllr Tony Ring, and town clerk Chris Wilkins and was live streamed to the Ringwood TV Facebook page.

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.
The original dedication ceremony was held on 14 August 1921, when the almshouses were opened by Colonel Fiennes Cornwallis, later Lord Cornwallis, chairman of Kent County Council. They were built as a memorial to local men killed in WWI and were intended for aged dependants. Tenants had to have lived in the parish for at least 10 years and were charged a nominal rent of a shilling a week.
The cottages continue to be an asset, contributing to council income, and it has a committee dedicated to their maintenance. They were recently modernised and redecorated. Former members of the services and other key workers are given priority as tenants, and they are the only properties where a local connection gives long-term residents a chance of renting locally.

Clerks & Councils Direct, September 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

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.
The town council thanked everyone “for your courage, your kindness, your hard work and most of all your support for one another”. The mayor, Cllr Tarlochen Singh-Mohr, planted the tree with Cllr Caroline Bagnall, Julia Sockett and Joan Banks, who came up with the idea.

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
NEW MILTON Town Council in Hampshire has had to postpone a planned centenary celebration of its war memorial until next year. The memorial was unveiled on 26 September 1920 and carries the names of 223 people who died in the two world wars. The amenities committee has proposed the planting of a Centenary Rose Garden to mark the anniversary.
On 23 August the town marked the 80th anniversary of its worst wartime bombing raid, when 25 people were killed. There were further raids in August 1942 and January 1943, when another six people died.
The 31 victims are commemorated by the New Milton Memorial Clock, and each year at a community event their names are read out and attendees reflect on the lives lost. This year, however, social restrictions saw the event move online to the council’s website and social media channels, plus a news story in the New Milton Advertiser.

Clerks & Councils Direct, November 2020

MEMORIAL BENCH
The market town of SHIFNAL in Shropshire has a new memorial bench to commemorate the fallen, created by two local residents. Steve Elliman and Mark Coates, who both work for ACS Fabrications in Telford, designed and manufactured the bench, which was installed at the end of June. Its design includes red and purple poppies, signifying the men and women who died fighting in two world wars and also the animals, such as horses and pigeons.
Mark Coates said: “Community is very important to us, and by producing this bench we feel we have given something to the town.” He is pictured with his daughter and with Steve Elliman, along with members of the Shifnal branch of the Royal British Legion, the Revd Chris Thorpe and the mayor, Cllr Robert Harrop.

Clerks & Councils Direct September 2020

LASTING REMINDER OF COVID RESILIENCE
WORKINGTON Town Council in Cumbria and local company R.A.F General Engineering Ltd are working together to create a garden of remembrance for the loss and sacrifice experienced during the Covid-19 crisis. The garden will be located in Vulcan Park and the council is proposing to call it the Nightingale Garden, though alternative suggestions from the public are welcome.
The centrepiece for the garden was the idea of Rafal Gibki, managing director of R.A.F General Engineering, in collaboration with monument designer Steve Marshall. It aims to reflect the community’s resolve to overcome the crisis, with a pair of hands echoing the help of key workers and the weekly tribute during the darkest days of lockdown.
The town’s mayor, Cllr Janet King, said: “The garden will be a space for quiet reflection as we move forward through this crisis. It will act as a place of remembrance for those who we have lost and as a site of respect for the key workers who have sacrificed so much.”

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

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