Handforth's new war memorial was officially unveiled this week by The Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire David Briggs.
The Handforth Community War Memorial Foundation (HCWMF), which was established in November 2014 by eight trustees in order to construct a war memorial in the village centre, organised a special ceremony on Wednesday, 23rd March,
The trustees invited donors and supporters to the Dedication Ceremony and were joined by children from Wilmslow Grange Primary School, councillors from Handforth Parish Council, Wilmslow Town Council and Cheshire East Council as well as representatives from Carillon who laid the foundations and paving stones as a goodwill gesture.
Representatives from the Poppy Appeal, Royal British Legion, Handforth Business Group, Proseal, Mather and Ellis Stonemasons, Manchester Airport Community Trust Fund, Wilmslow Dean Rotary and Gascoigne Halman were also present.
The 25 minutes service started with a minutes silence for the victims of Tuesday's terrorist attack in Brussels which led by Rev. Steve Burmester. The service finished with The National Anthem.
Anthony Harrison, Chairman of HCWMF, said "The event was an opportunity to thank all of the supporters and donors for their individual contributions towards the memorial. The foundation have planned to hold the first public service at the new memorial on July 1st to honour those who lost their lives in the Battle of Somme. This year the 1st of July will mark the 100th year anniversary of the battle which today still remains the greatest loss of life in one day. The Trustees hope that residents will be able to join them on this day."
Located on the grass verge off Wilmslow Road, the Handforth War Memorial is now complete except for a few finishing touches which will be carried out before the first public event including the installation of fencing and planting of bulbs and flowers. The trustees will also be re-turfing and seeding the area where they have been working.
In total HCWMF raised over £30,000 for the construction of the Handforth War Memorial on which thirty-seven fallen soldiers are remembered, all of whom were either born in Handforth or lived in Handforth when they were mobilised to war.
Photos by Jonathan Farber.
