Members of the Guilden Morden Local History Group are thrilled to learn they will receive an £8,400 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund for their latest project.
The two-year WW1 Centenary Project will research the impact of the First World War on the village, and to commemorate those who gave their lives for their country.
Leading the project is Geoff Harper.
“One of our members was interested in putting on a memorial at the parish church. The Local History Group were looking to do a another after the success of our Guilden Morden in the 1940s project and it we came together and decided on this.
“We were delighted when we finally got the funding – and the amount we asked for.”
A specially designed memorial will be erected in St Mary’s Church and a dedication event is planned for 2018, the Armistice centenary year.
A book based on the research and including details of villagers who served in the war will be published and a booklet will be available free for each village household.
The grant will also fund an exhibition and subsidise a visit to the memorials and battlefields in France and Belgium by descendants of those from Guilden Morden who served in the war.
“The project will enable local people to come together to preserve the memories and heritage of people who lived through the first world war,” Geoff said.
The group’s secretary Graham Dellar said: “We are thrilled to have received the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund and we hope to repeat the success of our lottery funded ‘Guilden Morden in the 1940s’ project.”
The head of Heritage Lottery Fund in the East of England Robyn Llewellyn said: “Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, we’re pleased to support projects such as this to explore, record and share the heritage of the First World War and the lasting legacy it has for communities.”
Retired Geoff, who has lived in the village 20 years, would welcome anyone who would like to get involved with the project, they are particularly looking for someone who is tech-savvy to help with the computer, and contributions towards the cost of the memorial would be much appreciated.
To donate send an email to gmlhgr1@gmail.com or call 01763 853845 to ask for details.
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