Memorial Restoration Marked

 Corsham Civic Society’s project to restore the town’s Mayo Memorial achieved a new milestone today.  Members of the Society, together with those of other organisations in the town, gathered to witness the installation of a plaque recording that the 100 year-old monument was restored this year, to something approaching its former glory, by the Corsham Civic Society, with the aid of the Heritage Lottery Fund and a grant from the Corsham Town Council.

 Amongst those present were Pauline Feeney, President of the Pickwick WI and Lynn Butler.  Lynn is a member of the WI and takes responsibility for ensuring that the small garden that now occupies the Memorial’s water trough remains the attractive feature it now is.

 Peter Tapscott, the Society’s project manager commented, “The restoration of this monument to one of Corsham’s greatest Victorian benefactors, Charles T Mayo, and the work undertaken to explain his contribution to today’s generation, has been a great success.  Our Society is a member of the Civic Trust, and is one of over 700 such groups in the country.  Griff Rhys Jones has just been appointed President of the Trust.  We can be confident that a project such as this will have great appeal to him.  Griff is a great rallying point for the civic society movement.”

 The Mayo Memorial Restoration Project is presently well-advanced.  It has been funded by a grant from the Local Heritage Initiative, now part of the Heritage Lottery Fund.  The HLF enables communities to celebrate, look after and learn more about the nation’s diverse heritage. From great museums and historic buildings to local parks and beauty spots or recording and celebrating traditions, customs and history, HLF grants open up our nation’s heritage for everyone to enjoy.  It has supported more than 18,000 projects, allocating over £3.3 billion across the UK.  This includes over £300m to projects in the South West

Notes for Editors:

1. The Corsham Civic Society aims to engender pride in the town of Corsham and to contribute towards the vitality and well-being of its residents and those of Corsham’s neighbouring villages.
2. The Corsham Civic Society is a registered Charity, a member of the Civic Trust and ASHTAV (Association of Small Historic Towns & Villages of the UK).  Current membership stands at about 150 – and continues to grow steadily.
3. The Society maintains an active website – www.corsham-civic-society.co.uk.
4. For further info, please contact Peter Tapscott, Publicity Officer, on tel. 01249 714453 and/or on peter@charlwoodroad.freeserve.co.uk.  Peter has further photographs of the plaque installation event, should they be required.  (Only one is provided at this time.)
5. Peter Tapscott can provide publicity material (quotes and pics) on the appointment of Griff Rhys Jones to the role of President of the Civic Trust, should this be required.