Helping the Moorlands commemorate WW1 centenary

This November people across the UK will come together to commemorate the centenary of the end of the First World War - and the District Council is offering grants to Moorlands towns and parishes to mark this nationally and internationally important anniversary.

National commemorations include plans for more than 1,000 Beacons of Light to be lit followed by the ringing of church bells from 7pm on Sunday 11November as the culmination of the commemorations that have been taking place since 2014.

And Staffordshire Moorlands District Council has announced a £20,000 fund to support local communities by offering grants to enable parish and town councils to hold their own events and activities and promote civic participation.

Council Leader, Councillor Sybil Ralphs, said: "The events and sacrifices made by people across the UK during the First World War will rightly be a focus for the nation during this centenary year of the end of the conflict culminating on Armistice Day.

"No community was left untouched the by impact of the war and towns and parishes across the Moorlands will already be planning how to mark this historic occasion. The Council wants to support them in that and we will now be contacting the town and parish councils to encourage them to submit their applications to us so funding can be agreed now.

"The District Council has already registered its intention to light a Beacon and we'll be announcing full details of the arrangements later in the year to give people who want to attend enough time to make their arrangements. We'll also be updating our website with news and information about what's happening in your area."

The Council has agreed to provide funding of £1,000 to the three town councils and £435 each for the 39 parishes.