“Romanby Remembers”
Romanby War Memorial & Garden
Restoration Project
First Public Meeting - 29th January 2015
Background
• Our imposing War Memorial was
unveiled on March 19th 1927.
• The attached land was bequeathed
to the Parish in 1930, and has been
maintained as a simple grassed open
space with a few park benches.
• Apart from routine maintenance, no
additional significant money has
ever been invested in the site.
“Then & Now”
• Parish Council business case to HLF’s WWI 100th
Anniversary Commemoration “Then & Now”
programme.
– Successful bid for £10K towards restoration and
refurbishment, announced at the end of 2014.
• Parish Council business case to NEHS
“Commemoration” programme
– Successful bid for £500 for garden improvements
(short-term)
Project Outcomes
What we intend this to do..
• First and foremost we hope to create a lasting legacy that
people enjoy both volunteering their time for, and being
part of. The war memorial and gardens will be in much
better condition going forwards for future generations to
enjoy. The Memorial Garden will be a focal point and open
space for the parish that people will be proud to own, use,
share and show to others.
• The learning/information resources we create will better
explain the heritage of the Great War and how it affected
our parish, to people of all ages, as well as upcoming
generations.
Project Tasks
What we have agreed with HLF
to do……
• To professionally clean the clock tower war memorial and
improve footpath access to it through the war memorial
garden.
• To enhance the war memorial garden to create a tranquil
community space with borders, trees, shrubs, seating and
wider footpaths.
• To involve the local community in researching the names of
the men from World War One listed on Romanby’s war
memorial clock tower, and to use the project research to
create online and hard-copy resources for the community
• To have a launch event on completion and share project
progress on a website and through networks and media.
2 Main Strands of Work:
• Memorial Garden Refurbishment
– Using new/existing contractors (VfM principles) (2015)
and community volunteers (latter stages- 2016)
• Research and Production of online/hard copy
resources and archive “Romanby Remembers”
– Using mainly community volunteers to gather existing
resource and expand/develop over 12-15 months.
Constraints:
• Financial constraints – tempering great ideas
with fiscal reality!
• “Must Do’s” – HLF remit
• Contract tendering for work – VfM
• Limiting of public involvement in the actual
hard landscape work – insurance and liability.
• Sequencing of work
• Completion date – Sept 2016
Project Management
• Parish Council Lead/Co-ord
– Separate “Task & Finish” Group, with Community
involvement/support
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Finance
Publicity
Communication
Landscaping & Gardening
Research, web design & archive
– Meeting as required during project life
Regular communication will be key
Project Timeline
Now until September 2016 to complete
• Memorial Garden refurbishment:
2015 – headline sequence
• Plan and design new memorial garden space (including any creative/public
art ideas) – end Mar 15
• Professional clean of memorial – end Mar/early Apr 15
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Full clean
Re-pointing of steps
Re-inscription of names
Removal of WWII name plaques, (for subsequent re-application above WWI names,
in keeping with design)
• All Hard Landscaping complete (ideally by Remembrance Sunday 2015) to
include:
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New paths (wheelchair accessible)
Improved access and access landscaping (including new gates)
New western boundary fence to create separate public footpath
New hard-standing around memorial
New seating
Main landscape features in
Planting of any trees/shrubs etc (horticultural considerations)
Project Timeline
Now until September 2016 to complete
• Memorial Garden refurbishment:
2016 – headline sequence
• Continued refinement of any outstanding hard landscape
features
• All soft landscaping to be completed – to include community
planting (Parks/horticulture lead)
• Incorporation of any historical/reference/archive link
material
• Incorporation of any creative/public art
• Re-dedication event/ceremony – Summer 2016
Project Timeline
Now until September 2016 to complete
• “Romanby Remembers” Work:
2015/6 – headline sequence
– Assemble research team able to meet and operate virtually identify core members by end-Mar 15 (including support from
schools and other groups) – able to meet ad-hoc as required,
and as project develops.
– Begin research of men on memorial (including gathering
information already existing), and village life 100 years ago.
– Identify and develop/implement resources and how shared, eg:
• Web site
• Hard copy resources/learning packs
• Physical resource in memorial garden
So this evening…..
We Need Your Help & Design Ideas
…And your areas of expertise/interest
…and your contact details!!
Memorial Garden
Design Timelines
• Ideas gathered tonight
• Further 10-day public consultation window
• Draft hard landscape designs compiled by end
Feb 15
• Next public meeting –
• Design confirmation and publication – Easter
2015
• Work to commence thereafter…….