To receive updates on the First World War commemorative tree planting project and other First World War and Second World War commemorations.
Minutes:
Cllr Nick Fogg MBE gave a short update regarding the commemoration event due to take place on 10th November at the Town Hall. The event would commemorate those who fought in the great war. Amongst those being commemorated would be Elsie Knocker, who was the most decorated person from Marlborough, receiving medals for her work as a nurse and ambulance driver during WW1. There would also be an event on 4 November, Royal Shakespeare actors would be reading poetry and letters by Wilfred Owen who was one of the leading poets during WW1. The 4th November marks the centenary of his death.
Andrew Jack, Community Engagement Manager, gave an update on the World War 1 Commemorative Tree Planting project. Marlborough had a good response to the project with 8 different projects in the Marlborough Area which would be planting around 1,000 trees in total.
Claire Costello updated the meeting regarding the Ramsbury Airfield Remembrance Project. Ramsbury Airfield was used during WW2 with airborne forces departing from there for the D-Day invasion. New woodland was being created using the WW1 commemorative project. Cub Scouts, primary school children and volunteers would be planting the trees on 10th November. A memorial stone would be placed on the airfield to commemorate WW2.
Mary Spender from the Marlborough Historical Society gave a presentation regarding research she had undertaken on war memorials. Mary contacted all villages within the Marlborough Area Board area and requested a current picture of their war memorial, it’s location and any research that they had done on the memorial. All 18 villages responded and Mary also undertook further research herself regarding the memorials such as when they had been put up, by whom and who had designed them. Details would be put on the Marlborough Historical Society website along with a map of the sites. The historical society was also taking part in the WW1 Commemorative Tree Planting project. Mary was helping to plan commemorative events including a “knees-up tea” and community events.
Diann Barnett of Ramsbury and Axford Parish Council gave a presentation regarding researching war memorials. Diann had undertaken research on the Ramsbury war memorial which had 67 names. The resident vicar at the time of the great war listed every man that went to WW1, so his records were a useful source. However there were no criteria for war memorials, anyone can put them up and religious issues may mean that certain people were not included on certain memorials. It transpired that their memorial was missing 9 names, these would be added to the memorial. Resources online were useful when researching the project, particularly the Wiltshire Soldiers website and Commonwealth War Graves website. However Diann found the most effective way to find things out was often to go and talk to the archivists.
Mervyn Hall of Marlborough Town Council gave a brief update of commemorative events in Marlborough:
· 4 November – Wilfred Owen evening
· 9 November – Laying of wreaths at the 7th Wilts Memorial (procession starting from the Marlborough Community & Youth Centre) and poppy laying at the Commonwealth War Graves at the cemeteries (Frees Avenue)
· 10 November – Commemorative evening at the town hall with exhibition.
· 11 November – Remembrance parade in High Street to War Memorial followed by Church Service at St Mary’s. Beacon Lighting on The Common to include a special ‘shout’ by the Town Crier and a peel of church bells all part of the national Beacons of Light Campaign)
The Chairman thanked everyone for their presentations.