A NEW War Memorial has been dedicated to the memory of men from Hopesay Parish who died in the First World War.

The ceremony took place on December 30 at Aston Green, behind Aston-on-Clun Village Hall, to remember the 27 young men from Hopesay, Broome, Longmeadow End, Aston, Round Oak and

Aston on Clun who died in battle, or later from their wounds.

Over £2500 was raised by donations and grants to pay for the 10 foot high memorial, which takes the form of a black silhouette figure of a British Tommy cut from sheet steel and mounted vertically on a metal base whose four sides have the 27 names inscribed.

A group of about 20 people gathered by the memorial to hear Rev Robert Payne give a short address on the place of remembrance in the modern world.

A wreath of red poppies was laid on the new memorial, followed by the reading aloud of all 27 names. Rev Payne then led prayers giving thanks for the sacrifice of the young soldiers and the peace enjoyed by people in the parish today.

Jennie Cole, who co-ordinated World War One remembrance in Hopesay thanked those whose efforts had helped the project become a reality. She said the generosity of John Campion, Dave and Pat Stocks, Norman Brassington, David Cole, Sheila Davies and Aston on Clun Community Shop had been very welcome, the shop donating 50% of the money required for the project.

Local historian Sandra Spence had undertaken research to identify the 27 young men honoured, while Norman Brassington had put forward the idea for a memorial and helped David Cole with its installation. The memorial was designed and produced at Speed Winch, an engineering firm in nearby Broome.

Jennie Cole added "The new memorial is owned by our whole parish and will be a permanent reminder of the young men we lost one hundred years ago."