The Rev Michael Gobbett, parish clerk Paul Gray, and Julie Hall, chairman of Bishop Middlemam Parish Council, beside the war memorial at St Michael’s Church
A PARISH council is on a mission to restore a village cenotaph in time for the 100th anniversary of the First World War.
Although, the war memorial at St Michael’s Church in Bishop Middleham, near Sedgefield, in County Durham, looks in good shape from a distance, in recent years residents have become concerned about its future.
And with the centenary of the First World War approaching, the Reverend Michael Gobbett and Bishop Middleham Parish Council decided to take action.
Over the next year, they plan to repair the large crack at the base, move the cenotaph further away from the edge of the bulging church wall and re-engrave the names of the 29 villagers who died in the First and Second World Wars.
Julie Hall, chairman of the parish council, said: “It is vitally important to remember those who lost their lives to protect our freedom.”
The council has already secured £6,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund’s Grant for War Memorials, which equates to about £75 per cent of the total cost.
They are now waiting to see if a bid to the Four Together Area Action Partnership for the remainder of the money has been successful.
For more details about the project, or if you have any information about the men whose names appear on the war memorial, contact Rev Gobbett on 01740-620274.
