Wirral war memorial shines bright in tribute to the fallen
A war memorial has been illuminated for the first time as Wirral remembers those who made the ultimate sacrifice and lost their lives during conflict.
The Hoylake and West Kirby War Memorial, located on Grange Hill, unveiled its new lighting system during a ceremony attended by the Mayor of Wirral, Cllr Mary Jordan, and Peter Oliver OBE, His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Merseyside. The project has been delivered through a collaborative partnership with Wirral Council.
The Friends of Grange Hill began their restoration efforts in 2012, revitalising the Garden of Remembrance before undertaking further works to improve accessibility for visitors with mobility issues.
An in-ground lighting system has been designed and installed by Wirral Council in partnership with a specialist manufacturer and contractor, KDE, enabling the Grade II* listed memorial to be more visible from a distance and accessible to visitors during the winter months.
The area surrounding the memorial plinth has also been resurfaced to improve public safety, enhance accessibility for all users and provide a setting more fitting of the memorial's significance.
The Friends helped raise funds towards the lighting scheme, groundworks, resurfacing works and a new electrical distribution pillar, with the project completed ahead of Remembrance Sunday.
The lighting scheme ensures that the memorial to the fallen is visible by night as well as by day and will continue to be remembered by future generations.
There was previously a floodlight surrounded by a cage, which was totally out of keeping with the memorial and its setting.
The war memorial stands on the highest point in West Kirby and, when it was unveiled in 1922, could be seen from the vast majority of surrounding communities.
Grange Hill commands one of the finest views in Wirral. There are other monuments that are illuminated throughout the year, so we felt it was appropriate for this memorial to be lit as well.
There is a great deal of pride in what we have achieved for future generations to reflect upon, and we hope to recruit more volunteers so that future generations can continue this work.
It was a true honour and privilege to see the Hoylake and West Kirby War Memorial illuminated for the first time.
Many servicemen and women from Wirral made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our country, and they shall never be forgotten.
With the war memorial now illuminated during the winter months, it ensures that all those who have fallen can be remembered in a dignified and respectful manner.
The Friends now have their next project in mind as they seek to make further improvements to the war memorial site.
We are now looking at fully revitalising the garden area, which is a Second World War memorial in its own right. It would be a wonderful project to pursue.
