Bromsgrove's new £50k war memorial to get green light

BROMSGROVE’S new £50,000 war memorial could be given the go ahead when it goes before the district council’s planning committee on Monday (October 15).

The monument, planned for Crown Close, will see a four-metre Portland stone monument comprising a Celtic-inspired cross on a pedestal and 1.9metre mount.

It would stand on a paved surface, be lit up by four flush-fitting lights and an inscription on it would read: ‘From the people of Bromsgrove to the armed forces in honour of service in memory of sacrifice’.

The monument would be positioned on the open green area to the north east of St John’s Court nursing home and on the west side of Market Street.

It would be near the Burma Memorial and close to the path that leads up to St John’s Church, where Bromsgrove’s annual service is held on Remembrance Sunday.

It is anticiapted work would start in spring next year and, hopefully, the monument would be completed in time to be used for Armed Forces Day - that takes place in June to honour those currently serving.

Almost £25,000 of the £50,000 needed to complete the project has already been raised.

And The Standard can reveal that the district council, having teamed up with the Bromsgrove Armed Forces Memorial Fund (BAFMF), could meet any shortfall in funding the project, up to £20,000, from its working balances.

That proposal, from district council leader Coun Roger Hollingworth, will go before the cabinet on November 7 and, it is hoped, to full council for approval on November 21.

Any surplus money raised would be put towards the upkeep and maintenance of the new monument.

The news has been welcomed by those who have campaigned tirelessly for a new war memorial for Bromsgrove that would commemorate all conflicts throughout the years and remember all those who served in them, along with honouring those currently serving around the world.

BAFMF secretary Ian Riley said: “I’m over the moon that it’s moving forward and that the end is in sight.

“We would like to thank the council for backing us and we are thrilled with all the support we have received from the Bromsgrove public and business community.

“We are all looking forward to seeing the finished monument.”

Coun Hollingworth, said: “The team have been working so hard to raise the money and public opinion is that we should be honouring the armed forces in the best way possible.

“The new memorial and the funding for it will enable us to do that as soon as possible.”

Mr Riley added: “We are in the final phase of the fund-raising campaign - check The Standard for future events.”

For more on the campaign, visit www.bromsgrovememorialfund.co.uk

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