The Rededication Service of the Jacksdale War Memorial
took place on Sunday 13th April 1997 at 12.00 noon. The service was conducted
by Reverend Ernie Hill, Branch Chaplain of the Jacksdale & District Royal British
Legion. Music was provided by 'The Huthwaite Prize Band'.
People turned out in their hundreds to watch the re-dedication service of the
Jacksdale war memorial. Representatives from The Royal British Legion organised
the event after the memorial was skilfully restored by masons from the Co-operative
Society who contributed £1,500 towards the cost of the project.
The memorial bears 314 names of those who served and died in two world wars.
Mr Edward Holmes from the Jacksdale Memorial Restoration Group said how
grateful everyone was for the help given by Midlands Co-op and particularly
thanked the staff involved with the restoration work.
A spokesman for Midland Co-op Funeral Services said, "The Society is delighted
to be able to help. It is a pleasure to see the memorial looking so splendid."
Eastwood & Kimberley Advertiser, Friday 18th April 1997.
Removal and Renovation of the Base Posts and Chains.
The extensive renovation of 1996 did much to improve the over all appearance
of the memorial. Decades of dirt and grime had now been thoroughly removed
from the sandstone. The old name plaques were replaced by new black marble
tablets with the names of those fallen etched in white and the wooden posts
at its foot were repaired and painted bright 'poppy' red.
Thanks to the vigilance and engineering skills of a local villager, Mr David
Martin, the restoration of the memorial was taken a stage further in the
year 2000. Mr Martin having noticed how attractive the memorial now looked,
thought that it was also perhaps time for new base posts. With this idea
in mind, Mr Martin, approached his employer ' Kirdale Engineering Ltd' of
Stanton-by-Dale, Derbyshire who agreed that if Mr Martin designed new posts
and wreath bars, then the company would donate all of the needed materials.
This was due to the generosity of Mr Dominic O'Neill, Managing Director and
Mr Bob Kirkland, Chairman of Kirdale Engineering. Mr Martin set to work
right away, submitting his design ideas to the Royal British Legion for their
approval.
Thanks to this wonderful act of generosity, by Autumn 2000, the Memorial was
the proud owner of 'Barley twist' slate grey steel corner posts and wreath bars.
