The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

spoons · Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2009 11:22 pm Post subject: War Memorials Trust

I have recently become a Regional Volunteer for the War Memorials Trust. There are only 9 of us in Scotland and I have mailed the 6 with email addresses about this project. I thought that I would open this thread and make the odd post here to provide information about the work of the trust and enable a cross flow of information which will hopefully benefit both sides.
I have already made a post on the Post Office memorials from information I got from the War Memorials Trust newsletter.
I have been given a pile of guidance notes and reference material so if you have any questions on maintenance, conservation, listing, cleaning, grants etc - ask away.
I hope the mods will keep me in line to the spirit of this project if I go too far off topic.
\Paul

spoons · Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2009 8:34 pm Post subject:

One of the subjects dealt with by the War Memorials Trust is the addition of names to war memorials. There is a two page helpsheet provided by the War Memorials Trust which I can scan and forward to anyone who is interested.

The Trust's Small Grants Scheme can help with the addition of names (or conflicts) to existing memorials.

If considering if a name could or should be added, obviously there is a lot of work to be done including establishing ownership of the memorial, permission from the owner and evidence for an addition or change of names but all of that is covered in the helpsheet.

\Paul

spoons · Posted: Tue May 05, 2009 4:12 pm Post subject:

The War Memorials Trust have today confirmed a few facts that had been questioned (under Scots Law) so I can now write a little more about the grants schemes and adding names to memorials.

The War Memorials Trust operates two grant schemes applicable to memorials in Scotland.

1. The WMT Small Grants Scheme - funds are raised by WMT. Available for all types of memorials. Standard grant is 50% of costs with maximum of £2,500. This scheme includes grants for correction or addition of names.

2. The (confusingly named) WMT Small Grants Scheme in Scotland - funds are provided by WMT and Historic Scotland but the scheme is fully administered by WMT. The scheme covers freestanding war memorials only but note that this can include memorials that previously had another use, for example Carmunnock drinking trough received a grant of £5,199 in 2008. Grants can be up to 75% of costs with a maximum of £7,500.

If the memorial is listed (or included in a listing of a building) then any changes to a memorial (e.g. addition of names) may require listed building consent.

The owner of any memorial may make such changes to a memorial as they see fit after taking into account listed building consent. The local council may repair and protect memorials including making additions or changes to the inscription (e.g. names) of any memorial if it sees fit. It does not need the consent of the owner if it chooses to exercise its powers under legislation (full details available by email if you would like). I cannot imagine a circumstance where a local authority would make changes or repairs to a memorial against the wishes of the owner, but it can do so if it wishes.

There is no legislation that requires councils to spend anything on memorials, only that it is empowered to do so.

The WMT policy on correction or addition of names is that it is a local matter for local decision.

\Paul