War memorial work includes new engravings

Work to remove the cenotaph from its long-standing site outside Mount Tabor Church, in Sedgley Road West, Woodsetton, took place earlier this week.

It followed a long-running campaign by residents and councillors to get the monument moved as the church is disused and services could not be held there.

As part of the restoration, it has been decided to add a new engraving to one of the memorial's faces. It will read 'We Will Remember Them.'

Councillor Keiran Casey said: "Because one of the memorial's sides was so close to the church building it was left clear without any engraving.

"However in its new location the side will be clearly visible. So we have decided to take this opportunity to add the new engraving as part of the work."

He said it would mark this new phase of the memorial's history.

The cenotaph will be moved to a larger area of land further along Sedgley Road West.

Scaffolding went up on Monday as experts removed the memorial from its long-term home outside the church.

It has been taken to W.E Jones, of Willenhall, to be cleaned, restored and for the new engraving to be added.

Although an exact date has not yet been set for when the memorial will be installed at its new location it is expected to take place in around a fortnight.

Campaigners always aimed for it to be put in place for this year's Remembrance Day services.

Councillor Casey added: "It is fantastic the work is under way and progress will be quick now.

"It will secure the future of the memorial for many years to come."

The side where the new engraving will be added is expected to be the focus of wreath-laying during services.

Residents had called for the memorial to be moved as the church was no longer used and the monument was too close to the road for services to be held there.

Because it was so near to the pavement and road, rubbish was also thrown over protective railings and built up at the base of the memorial.

There are 30 names on the memorial, which was built by public subscription.

It is in memory of those killed and to honour the men from Woodsetton who fought in the Great War 1914-18.

The names include six men from Woodsetton, three from Parkes Hall and 21 from Swan Village.

As part of the scheme, the memorial has been adopted by Dudley Council so it can be properly cleaned and maintained.

Documentation was finalised just over a week ago.

More than 150 residents turned out to a recent event to learn more about the relocation project.

Children from nearby High Arcal School, in Sedgley, have also taken part in a project about the memorial.