Remembering Shipston’s fallen, one hundred years on

The Shipston Branch of the Royal British Legion is working with Shipston Town Council to dedicate an open space in the town to be come a Centenary Field, in recognition of the 100th anniversary of the First World War.

The Centenary Fields project is a Legion UK-wide initiative aiming to secure recreational spaces in perpetuity to honour the memory of the millions of servicemen and women who lost their lives in World War I.

Subject to discussions with Stour Valley Lions, Shipston Town Council has identified the Gyratory Garden to be Shipston’s Centenary Field.  

Mayor, Philip Vial, said: “The Gyratory Garden is a central open space, well maintained by the Lions, which is why we have chosen it to be our Centenary Field. However, we recognise there are other recreational spaces around the town so if residents want to put forward alternatives, we would be happy to consider them”. Residents are invited to contact the Town Clerk on 01608 662180 or clerk@shipstononline.org.uk with suggestions before the next council meeting on the 8th September.

Shipston lost 36 servicemen in the war, the first of whom died in March 1915. From March 2015, the Shipston Forum will run an article in memory of each local soldier who died on the centenary anniversary of their death. Richard Adams, Chairman of the Shipston Branch of the Royal British Legion, suggested the idea which town councillors were only too happy to support. “I’m delighted the town council will be supporting this idea which will allow residents to find out a bit more about each of the Shipston men who made the supreme sacrifice during the First World War.” Said Mr Adams.

For more information about the work of the Shipston Branch of the Royal British Legion, please visit www.britishlegion.org.uk/branches/shipston or find them on Facebook.