The War Memorial Committee
The purpose of the Committee is to maintain and develop the War Memorial Site on Factory Lane, Preston Road, Whittle-le-Woods. Also to plan and execute the annual Remembrance Day Service and ad-hoc commemorative events.
The first meeting of the War Memorial Committee was held on the 31 March 1926 in the Bungalow Tea Rooms, (later the doctor’s surgery) Preston Road, Whittle-le-Woods. It was attended by six Parish Councillors-three from Clayton-le-Woods Parish Council and three from Whittle-le-Woods Parish Council. A chairman and Secretary were appointed, and it was agreed that a Minute Book, Cash Book and Precept Book should be purchased. (The same minute book has been in use until December 2022)
Each year the War Memorial Committee plan and execute the Remembrance Day Service at the War Memorial Site in November which is attended by the whole of the community. Wreaths are laid and crosses are sited around the Cenotaph with our local vicar, the Reverend Venables from St John’s Church, leading the Service including the reading of the 128 names of the soldiers lost in two World Wars. There are war graves in our three churchyards, and crosses are laid to commemorate the fallen.
These are the famous steps to the Washing Stream and a shortcut from Factory Lane to the Preston Road. These photos show the refurbishment work that was undertaken in 1995 by Chorley Council. Handrails were put in for safety purposes. The repairs on the steps leading to the War Memorial carpark and the bridge across Carr Brook were undertaken by Simon Gilford.
The War Memorial was unveiled on Saturday 11th June 1921. The postcard on the left shows how open and vast the area was when it was installed. However, you will notice that over the proceeding 103 years, the War Memorial Site has become a green oasis where residents can find peace and quiet only yards away from the busy Preston Road. The Committee have plans to manage the site with extensive tree work and development of the infrastructure. It is hoped that this will make the site accessible for many generations to come.
