2012, Merchant Navy Monument:

[Administrator]

Merchant Navy Monument:

Following extensive refurbishment to the Merchant Navy Monument on the Civic Office forecourt, Barry, South Wales, the Council are holding a re-dedication ceremony on Saturday 29th September 2012. This ceremony will be held prior to the Merchant Navy Association (Wales) Barry Branch Annual Seafarers’ Service at the Memorial Hall, Barry.

An invitation is extended to you for you to attend the ceremony at 10 am on the 29th of September 2012.

The ceremony will be conducted by the Reverand Malcom Davies and will include the laying of wreaths. All organisations are welcome to lay a wreath.

K.

[Administrator]

Vale of Glamorgan Merchant Navy Memorial to be rededicated:

A monument in the centre of Barry that was erected to honour fallen merchant sailors is to be rededicated on Saturday, 29 September.

The service will take place at 10am prior to the Merchant Navy Association's Annual Seafarers' Service.

The Merchant Navy Memorial stands at the entrance to the Vale of Glamorgan Council's Civic Offices. The 15-year-old, 23 foot high (seven metres) Portland stone structure was dismantled and removed for repair work, funded by the council, in December and returned in May.

The Memorial has been cleaned and slightly reworked to stop rainwater pooling on the stone and causing damage. The former brass remembrance plaques have been replaced with stainless steel plaques and the lists of Merchant Seamen from the Vale, who lost their lives during the World Wars, have been updated to include those that were missed off the original plaques. Hooks for memorial wreaths have also been added to the monument’s plinth.

Jim Greenway, chairman of the Barry branch of the Merchant Navy Association Wales, said: “We’re delighted that the council has kept their promise to refurbish the memorial, in other areas of Wales the local Merchant Navy Association have had to raise funds for similar memorials.

“We appreciate the council’s support and the fact that we were kept fully informed during the refurbishment.”

Neil Moore, Leader of the Vale council, said: “We’re pleased that the monument will be rededicated to the Vale’s fallen merchant seamen. Barry’s history as a port is illustrious, during peace and war, and it was the hard work and heroism of its merchant seamen that made its name. It is very fitting that they are honoured in our town.”

LINK: www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/our_council/press_and_communications/latest_news/2012/september/rededication_memorial.aspx