Memorial restored to its former glory (From Witney Gazette)

Memorial restored to its former glory

9:00am Wednesday 20th September 2006 in Witney By Maddy Biddulph

THE war memorial in Long Hanborough, which had become overgrown and neglected, has been restored to its former glory.

The work at the landmark, which dates back to 1919, was funded by grants, including £1,000 from The Midcounties Co-operative.

Two of the project organisers, Janet Witcomb and Rob Spearman, left, are pictured with David Green, manager at the new Co-operative store in Long Hanborough.

Mrs Witcomb, of Long Hanborough, said: "We are extremely grateful to everyone who has made the whole thing possible, from the sub-committee to the contractors, and all those who have made donations, including the War Memorial Trust and The Midcounties Co-operative.

"Everyone agrees that the site now looks much better, and we hope that it will stay that way.

"For the many people who are researching their ancestors or want to know more about local people who died in both world wars, the memorial is now a fitting place to honour those who lost their lives."

The Long Hanborough Parish Council decided to restore the memorial site almost two years ago, and a competition to design the best use of the area was won by villager Alan Allsop.

But stone restoration and landscaping work was hampered by the discovery of Japanese knotweed, and roadworks, and the project did not fully get underway until July this year.

Sarah Buy, of The Midcounties Co-operative, said: "We recently opened our new Co-operative store in the village, and were keen to show our commitment to the community by helping this project.

"It is a well-known landmark, that deserved some attention. Now the work's finished, it's a feature that is a real asset to the village."

The memorial cross is made of grey Cornish granite, and was made by builders Knowles and Co, of Oxford, in 1919.

It used to be located on a triangle of land at the junction of Church Hanborough and Long Hanborough roads, before it was moved to its present position in the 1970s. The opening dedication service was held on December 28, 1919, when the cross was unveiled by the Duke of Marlborough, in the company of many ex-servicemen and their families.