DELIGHTED dignitaries from Cookley proudly unveiled a new war memorial that has been installed by the parish council.

A commemoration service was held on Friday, July 1 – on the 100th anniversary of the start of the Battle of the Somme – where the new stone was blessed by church vicar Rev Nigel Taylor.

The event also saw children from Cookley Seabright Primary read out war poems and sing songs for the assembled guests including members of the Cookley and Wolverley branch of the Royal British Legion and councillors Lisa Jones, John Hart, Ian Hardiman, Chris Nicholls, Dave Jones and Gordon Yarranton.

Rev Taylor read out the names of residents from Cookley who have died in conflict while a minute’s silence was also held and The Last Post played on a bugle.

The stone, which is situated in Lea Lane between Cookley Seabright Primary School and the Parish Church, was donated by Tarmac Aggregates and Asphalt.

Councillor Lisa Jones, who led the project after getting elected to the parish council last year, said: “It was a wonderful service and we are delighted to have the new memorial in place.

“It was very moving and beautiful and I was pleased to see the school, the church, local councillors and the wider community involved.

“It was also poignant that the service fell on the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the Battle of the Somme.

“It has taken quite a lot of time and work to arrange this but it has been a real team effort. The parish council funded the project while Councillor Gordon Yarranton acquired the land where the memorial is situated.

“But everyone is delighted that it is now there and it has been very well received.”

Jackie Banks, Senior Logistics and Supply Chain manager for Tarmac said: “I’m really delighted that we could help the local community by donating stone for this memorial.”