New path will give people better access to war memorial

Published Tuesday, 19th March 2019

Work will start shortly on a project to improve access to a Headland war memorial, especially for older residents and people with disabilities.

To make it easier to approach the ‘Triumphant Youth’ war memorial in Redheugh Gardens to lay wreaths and pay tribute, a paved path will be laid up to the front of the memorial through the existing grass surround.

The work – which is due to start next week and take two weeks to complete – is being carried out by Hartlepool Borough Council as part of its Neighbourhood Investment Programme. The contractor is Hartlepool firm Dawson Landscapes.

Redheugh Gardens Memorial improvements.

Councillor Allan Barclay (second from the left) looks at plans for the new path with (from left) Dawson Landscapes Managing Director Andrew Dawson and local Armed Forces veterans Ian Fraser, Dave Murray, Barry Fishburn, Chris Ward, Daniel Threadgill and Mike Facchini

The improvements have been initiated by the Mayor of Hartlepool Councillor Allan Barclay in his role as the Council’s Armed Forces Champion, following requests from Armed Forces veterans.

Councillor Barclay said: “The existing grassed area around the memorial makes it difficult for people – especially older Armed Forces veterans and other less mobile residents – to go up to the memorial to lay wreaths and pay their personal tributes. The new path will make this so much easier for them.”

Mike Facchini, Chair of Hartlepool Armed Forces Liaison Group, said: “We welcome the fact that this will give veterans with disabilities and other less mobile residents the opportunity to participate in remembrance services and private acts of homage at the memorial.”