Latest News
War graves renovation
Published: 10/09/2014
Ex-veterans from a mentoring charity are restoring war graves across Flintshire
as part of a project that will eventually develop a local guide to war graves
and cemeteries across North Wales.
Volunteers will be at Connah’s Quay, Holywell, Buckley, Old Flint London Road
and Northop Road, Greenfield and Treuddyn cemeteries throughout September
offering gardening services to tidy up the graves from World War I and II.
Led by North Wales based charity CAIS, Change Step is a peer mentoring and
advice service delivered by veterans for veterans with post traumatic stress
disorder and a range of psychosocial problems who want to make positive changes
to their lives.
Since the launch of Change Step in May 2013, veteran mentors and mentees have
joined forces to help local councils and community groups to tidy up war
memorial sites, coastal paths, community halls and beaches across North Wales.
With the help of a community grant from the Armed Forces Covenant they plan to
extend their volunteering programme and, using data from the Commonwealth War
Graves Commission, Change Step will develop a website that will act as a local
guide on war graves in North Wales. It will include lists and maps of all of
the cemeteries in North Wales.
Councillor Aaron Shotton, Flintshire Council Leader and Armed Forces Champion
said: “This project raises awareness of the millions of lives lost during the
World Wars and a big thank you goes to veterans for giving up their time to
work on the graves. It’s a chance for them to get involved in the local
community as well as reminding us of the sacrifices our armed forces make to
serve their country.”
Councillor Kevin Jones, Cabinet Member for Public Protection said: “Our local
cemeteries are a great source of history and the veterans are making these more
accessible by offering this fantastic service.”
If you know of a Churchyard that includes war graves that Change Step could
schedule into their plans or to find out more information about volunteering
please contact Kimberley Ferguson on kimberley.ferguson@cais.org.uk or call
01492 523 821.
If you would like to know more about Change Step please visit the Change Step
website on www.changestepwales.co.uk or call 0300 777 2259.