Last week was Remembrance Day and I was honoured to lay a wreath to pay my respects to our servicemen and women who have shown incredible bravery and sacrifice in armed conflicts, both past and present. Northumberland has played a huge role in armed conflicts for our country, and that is why I am so pleased to hear that ten war memorials across Tynedale have been given listed status by Historic England. The war memorials in Heddon-on-the-Wall, Broomhaugh and Riding Mill, Ovingham, Wylam and Whitfield are just some of the Tynedale war memorials to have been listed as part of a pledge to protect 2,500 war memorials by 2018, the centenary of the end of the First World War.
War memorials are such important parts of our local communities, reminding us of the sacrifices of the generations before us in armed conflicts, and I am delighted that these memorials will be protected and maintained for generations to come. Heritage England are encouraging members of the public to put their war memorials forward for listing as part of the project- please do so!