Memorial Stones Rescued from Marton Methodist Church Before Demolition!
The Fylde Memorial Arboretum aims to find family members of 8 memorial stones saved from demolition.
Steve Harvey, Enveco’s grounds maintenance gardener noticed that Marton Methodist church was due for demolition. From spending many days with his family at the church he remembered the section of memorial stones. Concerned about what would happen to the stones, Steve Harvey reached out to the new owners of the church who stated the stones would be saved to keep the memories of families and veterans alive. Steve Harvey then contacted the Volunteering Manager, Chairman of the Fylde Ex-service Liaison Committee, Paul Binns, and Volunteering Labourer, Captain John Jones from Fylde Memorial Arboretum Community Woodland about the memorials.
One of the stones is a memorial tablet, inscribed with 38 names of local men who were killed during the First World War between 1914 to 1918. It was decided the tablet would be placed in a suitable setting at the arboretum. Enveco’s grounds maintenance team placed the stone in a tastefully decorated area that Captain John Jones had created with stones and a handcrafted memorial statue. Everyone who was involved did a fantastic job.
However, it didn’t stop there, as part of the rescue, Steve Harvey managed to retrieve 8 additional memorial stones and handed them to the Arboretum for safekeeping. They aim to return these to family members. Can you help? Below are the names of these additional stones that are looking to be returned to family members:
- The Leeming Family
- Mr and Mrs J.R. Cookson
- John and Emma Parkinson
- Mr and Mrs John Hallam
- Mr John W Cardwell
- Mr W Carr
- Thomas and Betty Cardwell (of Cropper)
- Elizabeth and Howorth
- Mrs E.D. Denbigh
Can you help get these stones to the right people? If so, please email marketing@enveconw.co.uk for more details.
Jez Evans Operations director from Enveco NW Said:
”Steve’s commitment to pursue the safekeeping of memorial stones when Marton Methodist Church was sold, cannot be understated to preserve the names of Blackpool residents who lost their lives in the Great War. Enveco and Blackpool Council have a strong relationship with the Fylde Memorial Arboretum volunteers who tirelessly maintain the community woodland and would encourage anyone to consider supporting this ‘Green Space Asset’”.
The beautiful space at the Fylde Memorial Arboretum and Community Woodland was founded by Don Aiken, a D-Day Veteran, the 5.5-acre site contains a range of young trees as a living memorial to remember fallen comrades and loved ones. If you love the outdoors and are interested in meeting like-minded people – They are looking for volunteers! To find out more about volunteering opportunities email paul-binns@sky.com.