MOVING memorials to the sacrifice made by Barnsley’s war dead have been preserved for future generations thanks to our Pride of Place grants scheme.

Thurnscoe Flower Park Volunteers have invested in specially-designed metal crosses for the park.

As well as being more sustainable, it will save the volunteers the job of installing wooden crosses each autumn and paying for those needing to be replaced.

The Pride of Place initiative has supported more than 50 groups across Barnsley to improve their local environment or provide much-needed improvements to life in their communities.

The volunteer group used part of their grant to commission Goldthorpe metalwork company GM Asquith Fabrications to produce and install the new crosses.

The vandal-proof crosses are each etched with the name of a fallen soldier and feature a poppy design which casts a distinctive shadow when the sun shines.

The grant also paid for the park's war memorial and the surrounding paving to be cleaned.

Pauline Phillips, a founder member of Thurnscoe Flower Park Volunteers, said: “We decided if we got the funding, we would like to have some metal crosses made, so we don’t have to replace them every year.

"We are grateful for the Pride of Place funding, which has made such a difference - it has really helped us to make the park look a much better place. 

"The new memorial crosses look wonderful and are a fitting tribute to those who served our community and country."

Max Asquith, director of GM Fabrications, said: “My grandad, Graham Asquith, actually made the frame the crosses sat on, so I was honoured when I got the call to produce the new crosses.

“I brought my grandad down to see it and he was proud that we both have created something that's going to be here for many years to come.”

Cllr Wendy Cain, Cabinet Spokesperson for Public Health and Communities, said: “I'm really pleased to see our Pride of Place grant making a difference at Thurnscoe Flower Park.

“These new sustainable metal crosses are a fantastic way to honour our fallen soldiers and show our commitment to sustainability and community pride.

“This is a perfect example of how community-led initiatives can enhance our shared spaces.

“Under the Sustainable Barnsley theme of our Barnsley 2030 vision, we are keen to champion and support groups who are proud of and look after their local environment.

“I hope everyone attending remembrance services in Thurnscoe this November will be proud of the difference this project has made.”

The Pride of Place scheme was delivered by our Stronger Communities Team and funded by the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund.

Visit the Sustainable Barnsley pages on our website.

Caption: Members of Thurnscoe Flower Park Volunteers with (far right), Max Asquith, director of GM Fabrications.

Note to editors: A high-resolution version of this image is available on request.