Nithsdale Area Committee (3rd February) are to consider an application from Sanquhar Community Council for funding of £15,000 from the Sanquhar Common Good Fund for the commissioning of a new or replacement War Memorial.
Common Good Funds are used by Dumfries and Galloway to award grants for the purpose of benefitting the inhabitants of the areas concerned. Assistance is granted from Sanquhar Common Good Fund to local voluntary groups and community based projects, taking into account the interests of the inhabitants of the former Royal Burgh of Sanquhar.
In addition to the new or replacement War Memorial, which would be placed adjacent to the existing War Memorial, the £15,000 of funds applied for would be used to upgrade the area of ground surrounding the Memorials. Sanquhar Community Council is of the opinion that a more traditional memorial would be more in keeping with the sentiments and mark of respect that a War Memorial represents.
The whole area around the Memorial, known locally as ‘The Waird’ is to be the subject of a restoration or improvement programme, with works being carried out to improve the area as a whole. The provision of a new War Memorial would provide a focus for this space.
In addition to seeking funding from Sanquhar Common Good Fund the Community Council are pursuing other sources of funding, notably from Clyde Windfarm, Solway Heritage and Community Health and Safety Partnership.
Councillor Ted Thompson, Chair of Nithsdale Are Committee, said: “It is very important that we acknowledge the contributions and sacrifices made by the people of Sanquhar and the surrounding areas during the Wars, and the Council would be failing in its duties if this application to the Common Good Fund was not considered. Combined with the regeneration of the surrounding area the new or upgraded War Memorial will ensure that the people who gave so much will never be forgotten.”
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