The First World War dedication plaque that was removed from St John’s Church when the congregation moved out in 2012 has a new home – at Walton Priory Middle School.
Following the closure of the building as a church, Mrs Gilman – headteacher of Walton Priory Middle School and Manor Hill First School – was approached by Peter Davies from the church to see if they would have the plaque, which commemorates the members of the church who gave their lives in the Great War. Last month a re-dedication ceremony was held at Walton Priory Middle School, where the St John’s congregation now worships.
Mrs Gilman said: “I am proud and honoured to be part of this. Peter Davies had approached the school to ask if we would consider giving the memorial a permanent home. Sadly, Mr Davies has since passed away, but I’m sure he would have been extremely pleased to have seen the ceremony and that the plaque has a new home.”
As part of the re-dedication, pupils from Walton Priory Middle School also laid stones to remember family members who have survived or fallen during any conflict. Some pupils laid stones in memory of the fallen from Stone who are named on the memorials in Walton and in Granville Square.
Mrs Gilman added: “As always, the pupils have taken this to their hearts and their stones are a mark of our respect.”
The St John’s Church building is still empty. A planning application to convert it into homes was refused recently – more on that HERE.
