Handforth now has its own war memorial to honour serving residents who fell in battle.
Located on the grass verge off Wilmslow Road, the Handforth War Memorial is now complete - apart from a couple of small jobs such as finishing the slabbing around the sides and rear and installing some small fencing around its parameter.
The Handforth Community War Memorial Foundation (HCWMF) was established in November 2014 by a group of eight trustees in order to construct a war memorial in the village centre.
In total they have raised over £30,000 for the construction through a variety of initiatives including a cake sale, fun day, tea dance, auction night, collection tins and a community grant.
Additionally Year 6 pupils at Wilmslow Grange completed a sponsored run, three members of the Mercian Regiment and two Handforth residents ran the Chester Half Marathon and Handforth residents Audrey Stephenson and Shirley Worth invited guests at their 80th birthday parties to make donations to Handforth Community War Memorial Foundation instead of buying presents.
The project was also supported by Carillon's who carried out and paid for the foundations and paving stones as a goodwill gesture, which would have cost approximately £15,000.
Anthony Harrison, Chairman of HCWMF, said "I would personally like to thank every one who has help with this project and contributed towards its costs. Both my trustees and I have received over 200 messages of thanks and support for the memorial. I hope it serves as a true commemoration to the heroes of Handforth who have given their all so we can enjoy the liberties and freedoms we do today."
Thirty-seven fallen soldiers are remembered on the memorial, all of whom were either born in Handforth or lived in Handforth when they were mobilised to war.
The list of names was put together following months of research, using information from St. Chad's Church, research carried out by Luke Webb, brother of Lance Corporal Jamie Webb who was tragically killed in Afghanistan in March 2013, putting out an appeal via wilmslow.co.uk and then by working with Wilmslow Community Archaeology Group who cross referenced Anthony's research and identified a further six fallen by trawling through newspapers and archives from Handforth's past.
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It is also fitting to remember that it was made possible by voluntary work by a dedicated committee and residents of Handforth. Highest praise and Congratulations to all who ,in any way contributed. A project to be rightly PROUD of.