Great Result for War Memorials

Following a petition signed by hundreds of local residents, Labour Lambeth Council has announced approval of £200,000 funding to refurbish five war memorials, including the Stockwell War Memorial.

Stockwell Councillor Alex Bigham said "It is fantastic news that this money has been provided to ensure that our memorials are fit for heroes.

"Many modern heroes such as Naomi Klein and Sheila Dartnell have campaigned for years to ensure these memorials get the recognition and funding they deserve. We look forward to working with them on plans to restore and imporve the memorial and surrounding gardens."

Councillor Paul McGlone, Lambeth council’s Finance cabinet member, said: “Capital funding is very tight, but all Lambeth councillors agreed that the £200,000 funding had to be allocated to honour our responsibility to our war memorials in memory of those who have fallen.

“We also owe a debt of gratitude to local people like Naomi Klein, a Stockwell resident, who wrote a book, ‘These Were Our Sons’ to commemorate the memory of the 574 local men whose names are inscribed on Lambeth official War Memorial at Stockwell, as well as the Friends of Stockwell Memorial [and Gardens] for their important role in raising the profile of the need for investment.”

The other memorials that will benefit from the funding include:
•Holy Trinity Church, Clapham Common
•St Mark’s Church, Oval
•The London Regiment memorial in Kennington Park
•Streatham War Memorial

The Friends of Stockwell War Memorial said: “We are very pleased that Lambeth’s war memorials, including of course the major memorial at Stockwell, are receiving the attention they deserve. We have been working with Lambeth co-operatively over the past year on plans for improvements to Memorial Gardens and hope to see the results shortly.”

The works are due to be completed early next year.