SHEERING WAR MEMORIAL UPDATE
Many of our residents will undoubtedly have noticed that our village war memorial is in urgent need of repair and refurbishment. To add to this, the memorial wall was struck by a vehicle some weeks ago resulting in extensive damage to it, thankfully the memorial was untouched as the wall provided some protection although this instance was one of several that have befallen the memorial over the past few years.
Last year parish council unanimously agreed that funds should be approved so the memorial could be cleaned and refurbished, and it was also agreed we should apply for a grant to help cover ‘some’ of the cost of this work. To that end, several specialist companies were contacted and asked to provide quotes for the extensive repairs and cleaning work that needed to be done.
Because our village war memorial is now listed as a ‘protected monument’ several organisations needed to be consulted regarding how the cleaning and refurbishment would be done as there are very strict guidelines that must be observed when a refurbishment such as ours is undertaken. Epping Forest District Council planning was sent all quotations including procedures, apparatus, and method statements from the various contractors for their consideration.
To obtain funds to help towards the cost of the refurbishment parish council approached the War Memorials Trust (WMT) and in conjunction with EFDC planning submitted the necessary documentation for their approval. As a charity the WMT has limited funds but agreed the protected status of our memorial and the extensive repairs required, deserved partial funding in line with their mandate. After consideration by them a contractor from our shortlist was selected by the WMT to undertake the work and they have now been appointed.
Work is expected to begin as soon as we receive a confirmation date from our specialist contractor. It will include a full clean of the memorial prior to the refurbishment of those names and areas of the memorial that have suffered erosion. A new wall around the memorial will be built once the restoration work is completed and its design is intended not only to offer greater protection from both the elements and traffic incursions, but to greatly enhance the beauty and solemnity of this monument and that it shall continue to commemorate in perpetuity the names of the men of this parish who gave their lives in two world wars.
We shall of course post updates regarding the refurbishment as they occur.