Events 2022

ST HELENS MEMORIAL CENTENARY HONOURED

Island High Sheriff, Mrs Caroline Peel, St Helens Parish Chairman John Coleman and Cllr Victoria Duckett laid wreaths at St Helens War Memorial to mark the Centenary of the Memorial and honour the sacrifices made by local residents made in both World Wars and other conflicts.

The memorial, set in the Lynch Gate was built as the Great War Memorial and designed by Mr E Caws, and constructed by Mr H A Coombes; and dedicated in September 1920 by the Rural Dean of West Wight Rev Hugh le Fleming.

Mrs Peel said 'In this difficult of times, it is important that we honour and respect the memory of those that made the ultimate sacrifice: my family are included on local memorials, and there is a special memorial in the Priory which has personal significance'.

Cllr Coleman added 'We had planned to mark the Centenary with a project with the local school, but due to Covid 19 constraints this may be something we need to revisit in 2021'.

The Church is a listed building and also includes plaques to individual service personnel, including Lieutenant Ronald Palmer who captained the England Rugby Football team in 1914, before serving in Belgium.

Cllr Duckett concluded 'We hope to complete Parish Heritage Walk which will include the Commonwealth war Graves, and the local Memorials, as recognition of the major events involving the village and local residents through the generations'.