Decision details

Renovation and improvement of the Hythe War Memorial.  The Hythe War Memorial commemorates the First and Second World Wars and is a centre for remembrance in the town.  The monument is stained and needs professional cleaning.  The area in front of the memorial also needs refurbishment.  The intention is to resurface the oval area within the curtilage with a large poppy design inlaid to a resin bonded surface together with refurbishment of the existing benches and cleaning the marble and brickwork.  This will create a suitable and inspirational, permanent visual enhancement of the Memorial of all those former residents of Hythe, both military and civilian, who made the supreme sacrifice. 

Prior to or on Remembrance Sunday 2018 the intention is to have a Service of Dedication and produce a Commemorative Programme. 

To provide funding of £500 to the above project.

Reason for decision:

The enhancement of the memorial and commemoration service to mark the Centenary of the end of WW1 will engage all the community especially young people and residents of Hythe.  It will reinforce understanding of the military history of the town, engaging all and be a lasting memorial.  On the anniversary of the end of WW1 there will be a Remembrance Service which will include a military band, contingent from the Small Arms School Corps who are Freemen of the town, representative of the Gurkha Regiment, Regimental Associations, The Royal British Legion, Navy, Army and Air Force Cadets, Scouts, Guides and pupils from all the local schools along with representatives of local businesses and organisations.  Also the twin towns of Poperinge and Berck Sur Mer will join in and lay wreaths. 

During the service primary school children will read out the names of those who are remembered on the memorial.  All local churches will be involved.  There is an expectation that attendance will be approximately 3000 plus.