Village memorial work completed thanks to community help

Keeley Ward, chairman of the Bilsthorpe branch of the Royal British Legion with local tradesmen who volunteered their services to clean up the village memorial, they are Lee Greenacre, left, from Mr G's Windows, who power washed the memorial, and Simon Tunnicliffe who did the groundworks.

Last year the Royal British Legion branch at Bilsthorpe successfully applied to the Heritage Lottery Fund, who stumped up £6,300 for their project on Eakring Road.

The money was used to make the area clean and tidy, but part of it was also used for education purposes.

It helped fund a trip for local scouts to visit the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.

Keeley Ward, branch chairman, said the money was stretched even further, thanks to the help of three businesses who offered services.

She said: “It looks good. There are a few other things that still need doing, but it looks so much better.

“These companies have done a lot of hard work and have been very generous.”

As part of the clean-up, Mr G’s Cleaning Services cleared moss from the memorial and cleaned the stone, Manor Exteriors paved and gravelled the area up to the memorial, while Midland Tree Care trimmed the surrounding trees.

Keeley said: “We wanted to make it more accessible to the community and make it an area where people can go to sit, rather than just use it for Remembrance Day.

“We’re now looking for anyone who can help us put in a bench.”

Meanwhile, the branch is also looking to recruit more members to help carry on the good work.

Anyone interested should call Keeley on 07814 389062.