Cabinet backs plans to support community efforts to prepare war memorials for Remembrance Day
A new programme to 'spruce up' some of the county's war memorials ahead of Remembrance Day has been approved by cabinet today.
We understand that community volunteers often play a major role in looking after our memorial gardens and greenspaces and would like to help them out where we can. The idea is to work with other people in the community who may already be planning to carry out this work, so that we can work together to do a little bit more.
The works will involve deploying two-person teams from the council to visit each site for up to half a day tidy and clear the surroundings. The works will help to develop civic pride, which can play an important role in developing a strong sense of community and shared belonging and heritage across Lancashire.
Following cabinet approval this afternoon (Thursday, September 4), over the coming weeks managers from the Environmental Services Team will be visiting cenotaphs and memorials around the county to assess where we may be of help. They will identify some low level, smaller scale works which we are able to deliver such as resetting a rocking paving flag, pruning back overgrown vegetation, edging off borders or getting rid of moss / algae.
No cleaning or direct work on the war memorial structures themselves will be undertaken. Permissions will be required to carry out this work where the memorial is on land not within the highway or not owned by the county council.
This programme will ensure that memorials are presented in a respectful and dignified manner, reinforcing the importance of civic pride and honouring those who served for their country. It will help communities feel proud of their local environment and confident that their heritage is being cared for with the respect it deserves.
The initiative builds on the success of the council’s sign cleaning programme, which has already seen more than 4,199 road signs cleaned across 90 miles of highway.
County Councillor Warren Goldsworthy, cabinet member for Highways and Transport, said:
"Civic pride starts with the everyday spaces we all share. By investing in clean, safe, and dignified public areas – from road signs to war memorials – we’re not just improving infrastructure, we’re strengthening community spirit.
"These small, visible improvements show that we care, that we’re listening, and that we’re committed to making Lancashire a place people are proud to call home."