War memorial is set to return to its former glory thanks to funding success

The good news comes after the council secured more than £84,700 from the Heritage Lottery Fund Our Heritage grant scheme and £24,400 from the War Memorial Trust to go towards both the restoration and WW1 commemoration activities and events. The restoration work is expected to last around 12 weeks.

The funding – together with a contribution from the borough council – will sympathetically restore the war memorial to its former glory. The work will include cleaning of the stonework, repointing and restoring the lettering of the 1284 names currently on the memorial. Following an appeal to residents, six names have been identified to be added to the memorial.

The work – which follows a successful patch test to help identify technique and best practise – will be carried out by Cliveden Conservation Workshop Ltd who were selected through a procurement process.

Councillor Rowena Hay, cabinet member for finance said: "The restoration marks the centenary of World War 1 and safeguards the memorial as a focus of remembrance and commemoration into the next century, so I am delighted that we have been successful in receiving the funding we need to make this possible. It will take place alongside a full programme of commemoration activities and events so that individuals, groups, schools and clubs can find their own ways to reflect upon the experiences and sacrifices of local people."

Nerys Watts, from HLF, added: "The First World War touched every community across the UK and our war memorials are a stark visual reminder of this. They are also a good place to begin to explore the impact of the War both on those who fought and those who remained at home. This project, one of over 1000 First World War projects we’ve funded so far, will both preserve an important memorial and ensure this history is much better known and we are very proud to be supporting it."

Frances Moreton, director at the War Memorials Trust added: "War Memorials Trust is delighted to be supporting this project. The funding, through the First World War Memorials Programme, will help repair this memorial and preserve it so generations can continue to pay their respects today and in the future."

During the work, hoardings will be placed around the memorial to ensure safety of the site. If during this time members of the public need access to the memorial to view a name, they can make an appointment with the council so that arrangements can be made. Please call switchboard on 01242 262626.

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For press enquiries contact: Katie Sandey, communications and web team leader, on 01242 775037 or email [email protected]

Notes

About the Heritage Lottery Fund

From the archaeology under our feet to the historic parks and buildings we love, from precious memories and collections to rare wildlife, we use National Lottery players' money to help people across the UK explore, enjoy and protect the heritage they care about.  www.hlf.org.uk.

A full programme of commemorative events will be organised in partnership with:
Cheltenham Borough Council
The Cheltenham Trust
The Everyman Theatre
The Royal British Legion
Cheltenham Ladies College
Big Local Cheltenham
Royal Air Force Association
Local History Society