Mark Francois, MP for Rayleigh and Wickford, recently presented the Wickford War Memorial Association with a tree to be planted in the memorial garden, alongside the recently refurbished Wickford Memorial itself.
The tree, which is already over 15ft tall, will be placed nearby the actual memorial, where 71 First World War soldiers and 55 Second World War soldiers’ names are now recorded on two plaques in Wickford Memorial Park. The new memorial has seen the plaques restored and placed within a new monument.
The refurbishment, which took several months to complete, was mainly funded by the Viola Pitsea Marshes Trust, who gave a significant grant to allow the refashioned memorial to be built.
Commenting on the refurbishment, and the presentation of the tree to the War Memorial Association, Mark said:
“I have fully supported this very worthwhile and much-needed refurbishment of the Wickford War Memorial from the early stages, and I am delighted it has finally come to fruition. I think it is very important that the people of Wickford have a memorial which provides a fitting tribute to those men to whom we owe such a huge debt of gratitude. I am very grateful to the Viola Pitsea Marshes trust for what they have done, and I commend Basildon Borough Council, the Royal British Legion and the War Memorial Association, as well as the other parties who have been involved in the project. It has taken a lot of hard work, but I am pleased the War Memorial was completed in time to commemorate Remembrance Day 2011.