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Plans have been drawn up to restore a park War Memorial back to its former glory.
The grade two listed structure, in Alexandra Park, Hastings, has been in gradual decline thanks to the weather and old age. Its stone base has begun eroding and the painted surface, flaking away. Now, thanks to the fund raising efforts of the Ex-Servicemen's Association and commitment from both Hastings Borough Council and English Heritage, work to repair it will start early next year.
Council leader, Councillor Peter Pragnell said:
"Well done and thank you to the Ex-Servicemen's Association who have managed to raise £20,000 for this great cause. Our Mayor, Cllr Maureen Charlesworth, made the restoration of the memorial one of her charities last year and we have set aside £120,000 towards the cost of the project. English Heritage too has committed some £10,000, for which we are very grateful.
"The memorial will mostly be restored to its original design, repairing the base, cleaning off the many paint layers and relocating the plaques to a new memorial wall. The fenced enclosure will have simplified new paths to allow plenty of room around it for our Remembrance Sunday services."
Designed in 1920 by Margaret Winser, a pupil of Rodin, the memorial commemorated the men of Hastings and St Leonards who lost their lives in the First World War.
In 1922 the memorial was unveiled by General the Earl of Craven and dedicated by the Bishop of Chichester, the Right Reverend Winifred Oldfield-Burrows. By 1923 the responsibility for maintaining the memorial fell to the Council.
Twelve years ago plaques commemorating those that died in the Second World War and subsequent campaigns were added.
A busy seafront pavement is being given a dramatic overhaul to provide a safer journey for people walking between Hastings town centre and the Old Town.
Work to improve the pavement along Pelham Place in Hastings will start early next year as part of a joint scheme between Hastings Borough Council and East Sussex County Council. The scheme aims to reduce overcrowding on the pavements and reduce traffic speeds by widening the footway between Castle Street and George Street.
The plans were put out for public consultation earlier this year. More than 280 people filled in questionnaires and a further 22 submitted letters and emails. Following the consultation, it was agreed that the signalised pedestrian crossing will be retained at St Mary in the Castle. The crossing will be amended to a straight across crossing, and upgraded to a puffin crossing, rather than the existing staggered arrangement.
The traffic orders associated with the scheme are currently being advertised in the local press with a view to the construction work starting in January 2009.
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This page last updated: 15/10/2008