Restoration for memorial

A rededication service has been held at the newly restored Nether Langwith war memorial, following a campaign from villagers.
Local dignitaries, residents and family gather following the  re-dedication of the Langwith war memorial on Saturday morning, which has been refurbished.Local dignitaries, residents and family gather following the  re-dedication of the Langwith war memorial on Saturday morning, which has been refurbished.
Local dignitaries, residents and family gather following the re-dedication of the Langwith war memorial on Saturday morning, which has been refurbished.

The £15,000 project to restore the original memorial, as well as erecting two information boards, attracted crowds of locals at the weekend, including relatives of the men whose names appear on the cenotaph.

The memorial, which was first erected on the village green in 1920, had fallen into disrepair and needed urgent attention,

Villagers applied for the cash help through Nottinghamshire County Council’s local improvement scheme for help.

Work included restoration work on the existing Celtic cross and base stone, replacing steps, refurbishing railings, and re-carving the names of those from the village who died in the First World War.

Names of local people who were killed during the Second World War were also added.

Bill Bryan, from Nether Langwith, researched the biographies of the twelve First World War and four Second World War men whose names now feature on two information boards at the memorial site.

Bill said: “This memorial means a lot to the people of this area and we are over the moon with the work that has been carried out.

“It was also very satisfying that we were able to track down a number of relatives who paid their respects by laying wreaths during the rededication service.”

Coun John Ogle from the county council said: “People across Nottinghamshire are proud of the men and women who lost their lives in the world wars, so it is only fitting that the war memorials in towns and villages are kept in good repair.

“The local improvement scheme has funded repair work on more than 40 memorials over the last decade, something that the county council is very proud of.”

Other dignitaries who attended the event, which took place on Saturday, 12th October, were Coun John Allin, chairman of Nottinghamshire County Council, chairman of Bassetlaw District Council Sybil Fielding, chairman of Bolsover District Council Ken Walker and chairman of Nether Langwith Parish Council Melvin Middleton.