HASLEMERE Town Council has launched a campaign to repair the War Memorial in the town so that it is once again something of which it can be proud. The campaign has begun with a donation of £2,000 from Sir Ray Tindle, proprietor of The Herald newspaper group. At a lunch at Haslemere Town Hall to launch the War Memorial restoration campaign, Sir Ray spoke of his admiration for the project. "The Haslemere Herald is honoured to have been asked to 'kick-start' the town's war- memorial fund. "As a World War II soldier, I am very pleased that the mayor and council are carrying out the refurbishment." The town council is now hoping to raise around £5,000 more in order to carry out the restoration. The Haslemere memorial is a listed historic monument and the restoration works have to retain much of the existing stone. Consultation with many organisations has occurred including contacting the Royal British Legion, Waverley Borough Council listed buildings officer and The Haslemere Society. Following a tendering process, the council contractors are Cathedral Works Organisation Chichester. The expert stone masons intend to start work in September in order to complete the work by Remembrance Sunday in November. Anyone wishing to help the campaign should send a cheque made payable to Haslemere Town Council to the Town Clerk, Haslemere Town Council, High Street, Haslemere, Surrey, GU27 2HG. In the happy event that donations exceed the amount required for the immediate works any surplus will be used to extend the scope of the project. For more information drop into the town hall offices which are open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
