34 replies to this topic

[stephen nulty]

I had a really good meeting with KMBC senior officers on Wednesday to discuss the work taking place within the old Churchyard. The wall on which the BICC Memorial Plaques will be mounted is now ready, as are most of the environmental surroundings, granite path, steps, benches, fence, etc.

The old intertwined B & I plaque is now located in front of the walls (see picture below).

The area will be covered by CCTV and the panels, which are brass and extremely heavy, are being coated with SmartWater. In addition, the gated access to the churchyard is being improved to prevent vehicle access.

The paths running north-south and east-west will be improved.

I told the council about the fact that over 300 men from Prescot fell in the Great War, but only 176 of these are recorded on the Civic Memorial. There are any number of reasons for this, but the council are keen to commemorate those men not named on the memorial and the early thinking is that some kind of commemorative panels can be produced and added to the wall holding the BI plaques, as the ends of this wall are quite wide. To support that, I am working to provide a list of those who fell and are not commemorated on the Civic Memorial (or any other memorial in the town).

The six men who (in my opinion) died as a result of wounds/illness initially incurred on service, but who are not commemorated by CGWC for various reasons, will now be commemorated in some way. We are discussing the best way to achieve this. I have the death certificates for all of them in support of my contention. Sadly, their final resting place in the churchyard is unknown but we are looking to remedy this.

One idea under discussion is the erection of information posts/panels throughout the churchyard telling its history and the story of some of the people buried there.

Renovations are planned for the Civic Memorial. The broken bayonet has been replaced, albeit temporarily, and a more permanent repair is planned. The name panels will be cleaned.

The clearing of overgrown shrubbery, brambles, etc. from the old churchyard is now complete. An exercise is under discussion to now remap the churchyard and to catalogue details of all stones which remain, many of which might be recumbent and under shallow earth.

So they are the headlines and its early days for several of these activities, but we are now off and running. I am delighted (and proud) to say that the council officers acknowledged the work I had done on the Prescot Roll of Honour and are very keen to incorporate as much of this as possible into the project.

I’ll keep this thread updated as and when there’s anything to report.

Attached Files

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[Olliebeak]

Great work, Stephen - good to know that somebody NOT involved within KMBC is keeping an eye on the progress and can be relied upon to make certain that this work is not allowed to lapse.

I'm all to aware that, unless ring-fenced, monies set aside for projects can easily be 'diverted' to some other project that they feel needs more funding than first thought!


Is this the kind of project that Community Payback Teams could be involved with? I'm not advocating doing somebody out of a 'paying job', but with it being a project that will need 'strength and manpower', I just thought that it might be an initiative that could generate some kind of civic pride for those guys.

[stephen nulty]

The Community Payback Team have already been heavily involved in the cleaning of the churchyard and the memorial wall development, to the extent that they will also be part of the rededication ceremony when it takes place.

The council feel that it is very important that the team is involved in the first place, and that their work is fully acknowledged.

[leschip]

Stephen, absolutlely brilliant work. If public subscriptions are needed please let me (and others) know. LB

[Phyll]

Thanks for the update Stephen, you have done a great job getting all our brave soldiers recognised.

[Olliebeak]

Hi Stephen - delighted to see that CPT have already been involved in this particular project - well done to them.

They do a great job - my 'little old ladies' were competing with each other to provide them all with tea/coffee/hot chocolate and biscuits when they came and cleared our roads and driveways during the bad weather

It's to be hoped that they all get invites when, or indeed IF, there's some kind of 'official celebration/recognition ceremony'!

[stephen nulty]

Latest News.

The BI panels will be mounted on to the new walls in early June, and a dedication service will take place mid-June. My understanding is that the Bishop of Liverpool has been asked to carry out the service.

I'll keep you posted once I know the actual dates. It will be great to see a good turn out on the day.

[Thumpa lumpa]

Stephen fantastic work, don't know if they have one but if they do they should make you Mayor, in recognition of all your work for the people of Prescot. and as an above post states you should be PROUD of your work

[RATTY]

Great news Stephen

[Phyll]

Ditto!

[stephen nulty]

Cheers all.

TL - I'm not that mad!!!

Much easier being on the outside as an "enthusiastic volunteer" than being on the inside of the vicious world of local government politics

[Olliebeak]

Sensible man, stephen!

In the world of Local Government Politics, honest men with good intentions get eaten alive, or used to others' advantage.

[leschip]

Aye, Stephen, there is a big difference between involved and daftness
Les

[joe]

Well done Stephen on all your hard work joe

[gypsygeoff]

Great work Ste.