FIRST WORLD WAR 100: Restoration of Preston Plucknett War Memorial

YEOVIL Town Council is getting ready to commemorate this year’s centenary of the start of the First World War.

In line with national guidance, the council has arranged for the Preston Plucknett War Memorial, which includes the names of 15 local men who died in action during the conflict, to be restored with the help of a monumental mason – and has involved local young people in the project.

Everyone is welcome to attend a service to be held at the war memorial, which is opposite the Bell Inn on Preston Road, at 4pm on Sunday, August 3, 2014.

The service will commemorate the centenary of the start of the First World War and will include the re-dedication of the War Memorial following its restoration.

The service will be led by the Rev. Tony Perris of the nearby St James’ Church and the Rev Jim Pearce, the Mayor’s Chaplain.

Cllr Mike Lock, Mayor of Yeovil, and Cllr Andy Kendall, chairman of the council’s buildings and civic matters committee, will be in attendance as well as representatives from the Royal British Legion, and other community groups.

It is hoped as many local people as possible will come along to the service, and particularly families associated with the men whose names are inscribed on the Memorial.

The war memorial was originally dedicated on July 6, 1920, and was first situated in an orchard owned by Richard Ponsonby of Brympton d’Evercy.

However, it was later moved to its current position – on the opposite side of the Preston Road - to allow the road to be widened.

The memorial is made of local hamstone and over the years the weather has taken its toll so the inscription had become difficult to read.

Therefore the town council, which is responsible for the War Memorial, has undertaken renovation works including the painting of the inscription so the names can now be read easily.

As part of the restoration project, children from the nearby PrestonPrimary School have helped to re-plant the flower beds along the front of the memorial, and members of Yeovil’s Youth Council are researching the men whose names are inscribed on the war memorial who died during the First World War.

The information is to be kept in a folder in St James’ Church.

The town council would welcome anyone with information about the men for inclusion in the folder, and may be contacted on 01935-382424 or by emailing ytc@yeovil.gov.uk.

Cllr Kendall said: “The restoration of the Preston Plucknett War Memorial is a fitting tribute by Yeovil Town Council to the memory of those who lost their lives in both the World Wars and the involvement of young people will ensure their sacrifice will not be forgotten.”

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