However, the impending centenary of the war’s outbreak added impetus to the need for restoration, and today the memorial was re-dedicated, on the 90th anniversary of its unveiling in 1924. It was interesting to think for a few moments about those years just after the war, when public grief must have been channelled into planning, raising subscriptions and opening these very numerous local monuments. A particularly fine feature of this morning’s short ceremony was the vocal rendition by onlookers of Amazing Grace accompanied sensitively by two bagpipers, one Scottish and one Irish - a rare sight around here. By verse three everyone was beginning to get the hang of the celtic-sounding bagpipe ornaments while imparting a gospel-oriented swing to the tune. A rather more positive (musical) iteration of the expression ‘Great Britain’ !
(Thanks to Suzanne Jansen for the photograph)