A group of Haslemere residents have come together to mark the centenary next year of the end of the Great War, by creating a magnificent and thought-provoking memorial to honour the local men and women who were killed in the conflict.
This will also act as a reminder to future generations that The Great War affected people of all nations and faiths who gave their lives in defence of freedom and democracy.
Information will be gathered on those whose names appear on local war memorials in Haslemere, Grayswood, Hindhead, Shottermill, Hammer, Camelsdale and Lynchmere and the results of this research will be stored on the new Haslemere & District Memorial website and displayed for all to view.
In addition and to act as a lasting memorial, plans are in hand to replace the 35ft high flagpole on top of St. Christopher’s Church at Wey Hill. It fell into decay several years ago and is now just a shadow of its former self. The arts and crafts cross that previously sat on top of the flagpole will also be reinstated and restored to its original gold to become a beacon of hope.
Local schools and organisations have been invited to take part in a ‘Poppy-thon’ designed to make around 12,000 poppies, which will then be artistically cascaded on netting from the top of St. Christopher’s Church tower. To add to the spectacle, real red poppies will be planted directly on St. Christopher’s Green to add impact to the scene.
The Royal British Legion will help to deliver this ambitious project and plans are well underway. Eight local schools have already signed up to make the poppies, starting next month, and to undertake research on the people behind the names on all the local War Memorials.
With grants made available from various local funding bodies, including the Shottermill Great War Memorial Trust, Haslemere Town Council, Surrey Churches Preservation Trust, Surrey County Council and Friends of the Parish, the flagpole has already been purchased and is in the process of being seasoned, ready to be erected early next year.
However, support is now needed from the local community and businesses to donate the funds to buy the materials to make and hang the poppies from the Church tower. It is planned that these poppies, set as a Haslemere centenary memorial, will be in place from Easter to Armistice Day 2018.
The organisers are now looking for local residents, businesses and organisations to donate £200, or multiples, for the purchase of materials to make and hang 500 poppies. Twenty four bundles of 500 poppies making up the total of 12,000 required. However, to achieve this, any donation however small, will of course be gratefully received.
If you have any questions on this project then please first contact Ken Griffiths by email at or to donate to this worthy cause, perhaps in memory of one of your relatives who was killed in this conflict you can do so HERE.
Those who donate will as sponsors have their names / names of their businesses inscribed in a book of remembrance associated with this project that will be kept in St Christopher’s in perpetuity.