Commemorative WWI beacon to become a permanent memorial in Cannock Chase
A commemorative beacon created to mark the centenary of the First World War will now become a permanent memorial at a Cannock Chase church.
The steel sculpture, which is more than two metres tall and features images reflecting the district’s mining heritage, was specially made for an official beacon lighting ceremony held last year to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the Great War.
A special service was held at St Luke’s Church in Cannock, where the beacon was lit, and there were also remembrance services and parades across the rest of the district.
These were the final events in a four-year series of centenary commemorations, which were delivered by Cannock Chase Council and Inspiring Healthy Lifestyles,the district’s leisure and cultural services provider.
The beacon is now set to be permanently sited in the grounds of St Luke’s Church, after the proposal was approved by a church committee in June. The committee is now applying for a faculty from the Lichfield Diocese to allow this to take place and a planning application has been submitted to the council.
On Thursday the council’s cabinet was asked to approve the spending of up to £6,000 for the beacon’s permanent siting.
A report to the cabinet meeting said: “Over the last four years, the council and Inspiring healthy lifestyles have been committed to delivering a four year commemorative programme to remember those that fought and lost their lives from across Cannock Chase District.
“In 2017 the Council secured funding from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund to help fund the final commemorations. Inspiring healthy lifestyles submitted the application on behalf of the District’s World War One Working Group, a collaboration of local Armed Forces’ organisations and branches, local arts group members of Cannock Chase Arts Council and Cannock Chase Council.
“The group has worked hard over the last four years to engage with local businesses, creative individuals and groups to provide events and activities for local communities to support and participate in. Among these was The Great War Marches in 2014 which saw local towns develop parades and services involving hundreds of serving personnel, veterans, military organisations and the wider community.
“Over the years, these events have been extremely successful with hundreds of local people attending and gaining an experience of wartime within Cannock Chase District.
“Finally in 2018, the district marked the 100th year anniversary for the end of the First World War with a special service and beacon lighting ceremony at St Luke’s Church in Cannock, remembrance services and parades across the district, a tour of the Last Day Legacy – Great War Art Exhibition and performances of The Last Day at Cannock, Rugeley and Hednesford.
“To complete this, (the) commemorative beacon will be sited on the grounds of St Luke’s Church as a permanent memorial feature. A small amount of funds to the value of £2,100 are available in a reserve budget, however, further funding is required to complete this final element.
“Up to £6,000 is required to complete this project. In addition to this, an ongoing maintenance fee payable to St Luke’s Church will have to be agreed to cover the cost of the electricity used. This will be up to £50 per annum.”
