Funding bid rejected for village memorial project

Plans to create a permanent memorial in Chedgrave to honour villagers who died in the two world wars have been delayed after a major funding bid was rejected.

Chedgrave parish councillor Matt Hubbard has been leading the initiative to build a lychgate memorial to replace the wooden gates at the entrance of All Saints Church. There will be seating either side, with the names of the soldiers killed in both wars inscribed on the front.

The project, which is expected to cost around £34,000, was given the green light by Waveney District Council's planning committee last year, but the council's application for a £30,000 grant from a major funder has just been declined.

Mr Hubbard said they have raised around £4,000 through events and small grants, but were relying on the money to get work started.

'We are really disappointed because we had a good feeling all the way through,' said Mr Hubbard. 'But we are still going to push on with it and we are not giving up, we will just have to look at other options.'

Mr Hubbard, who has a special interest in the project after serving 24 years in the RAF, is urging anyone who thinks they may to able to help to get in touch.

'We would love to hear from anyone who can help in any way to get this project done. We want to get it finished as part of the centenary of the First World War.

'We had planned to build it next spring and have a dedication ceremony later that year.'

Anyone who would like to help can email chedgrave.pc@gmail.com or call 01508 521263.