Semington’s war memorial centenary appeal

The Semington War Memorial.

A RESIDENT from Semington is leading an appeal to get the village war memorial’s lettering refurbished so the names of fallen heroes from the village can be clearly read. 

Ray Heard is a keen historian and with the help of the parish council, he has set up a fundraising appeal to raise the £1,500 needed to carry out the restoration.

The Semington war memorial at St George’s Church commemorates those who gave their lives in the First World War, Second World War and the Korean War. The attachment to the war memorial details those remembered, all of whom were local people or had a local connection.  The inscriptions on the war memorial have become barely legible in some cases and the money raised would be used to refurbish the lettering so the names of those who gave their lives can be easily read and preserved for many years.

Semington Parish Council is promoting the project and the estimated cost of the specialist work is £1,500. The parish council has pledged £500 towards the project already and it is intended that the remaining £1,000 will be raised by donations from parishioners and local businesses and other organisations.

Ray Heard, who is leading the appeal said, “I think it is a shame that the lettering on the war memorial has faded over the years and the names of the soldiers from Semington or have a link to the village isn’t clear. With the anniversary of the First World War it seems right to try and rectify this. The aim is not to refurbish the whole war memorial as it is only right it keeps its dated look to signify the importance the memorial has played in the village for many years. We only intend to refurbish the lettering displaying the names so it is clearly visible.”

Bryan Smyth from Semington Parish Council said, “The forthcoming anniversary of the First World War is a poignant reminder of the sacrifice that they all made. It would be great to commemorate the centenary by unveiling the war memorial with the names of the fallen heroes clearly displayed.”

Anyone wishing to make a donation can do so at the village Post Office in the village hall on Mondays and Thursdays between 9.30am-1.00pm.

All major donations will be acknowledged and details of the donors will be recorded in the village newsletter unless anonymity is requested.